.A.       ^7^ 

to  a*t- 

/D.  i 


/ULUO, 


($f/H±cw^  l^wni 


f 


mi 


m* 


>pp^%> 


^  MAY  16  1932  * 


LETTER 


TO    AN 


ORTHODOX    MINISTER, 


REVIVALS    OF    RELIGION. 


// 


BY  BERNARD  WHITMAN. 


BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED  BY   GRAY  &    BOWEN. 

1831. 


Waitt  Sc  Dow,  Printers,  122  Washington-Strfxt,  Boston. 


I 


LETTER. 


Reverend  Sir  : 

I  am  credibly  informed  that  you  pub- 
licly made  the  following  statements  respecting  revivals 
of  religion.  You  asserted  that  such  excitements  were 
enjoyed  by  none  but  orthodox  denominations  ;  that  they 
were  produced  by  scriptural  means  and  measures ;  that 
they  yielded  the  genuine  fruits  of  the  gospel;  that  they 
were  the  special  work  of  the  holy  spirit,  and  that  all 
who  opposed  them  were  enemies  to  the  cause  of  Christ. 
Now  I  firmly  believe  your  declarations  have  no  founda- 
tion in  truth  ;  and  to  state  the  honest  reasons  for  this  be- 
lief is  the  design  of  the  present  Letter.  And  I  would 
not  have  you  suppose  that  I  have  undertaken  to  address 
you  on  a  subject  with  which  I  have  no  experimental 
acquaintance.  I  can  assure  you,  that  I  once  defended 
the  divine  origin  and  beneficial  tendency  of  such  revi- 
vals ;  that  I  denounced  all  who  opposed  them  as  bold- 
ly as  you  now  do,  and  that  nothing  but  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  their  injurious  consequences,  and  a 
better  acquaintance  with  the  holy  scriptures,  convinced 
me  of  my  dangerous  error.  I  hope  and  pray,  therefore, 
that  my  remarks  and  arguments  may  be  instrumental  in 
promoting  the  cause  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion.  I 
now  proceed  to  the  examination  of  your  five  proposi- 
tions. 


I.  You  assert  that  none  but  orthodox  sects  are  favor- 
ed with  religious  excitements.  I  think  a  plain  state- 
ment of  facts  will  prove  your  assertion  untrue  ;  and  al- 
so convince  you,  that  these  revivals  do  not  depend  upon 
the  peculiar  religious  opinions  of  any  christian  denom- 
ination.    Let  us  then  attend  to  the  facts  in  question. 

In  the  first  place,  what  is  the  origin  of  modern 
revivals  ?  They  originated  with  John  Wesley  and 
George  Whitefield,  the  founders  of  the  Methodist  de- 
nomination. These  distinguished  men  began  their  min- 
istry in  England  at  a  period  of  great  moral  apathy,  and 
religious  indifference,  and  even  gross  immorality.  They 
adopted  an  earnest,  direct,  familiar,  pungent  and  im- 
passioned style  of  preaching.  They  usually  addressed 
the  less  informed  and  more  depraved  classes  of  society. 
Their  intelligible,  powerful  and  heart-rending  appeals 
produced  a  most  astonishing  and  wonderful  excitement 
of  the  passions  and  feelings.  They  were  at  first 
greatly  pleased  with  the  striking  results  of  their  labors, 
and  readily  ascribed  them  to  the  special  operations  of  the 
holy  spirit.  But  more  experience  convinced  them  of  the 
deceptive  character  of  such  promising  appearances,  and 
led  them  to  doubt  the  expediency  of  such  commotions. 
For  they  early  discovered  that  it  was  much  easier  for  their 
converts  to  relate  marvellous  experiences,  than  to  ex- 
hibit christian  dispositions  and  characters. 

I  have  said  that  modem  revivals  originated  with  the 
founders  of  Methodism.  I  cheerfully  admit,  that  reli- 
gious excitements  existed  before  their  day  among 
the  Anabaptists,  Quakers,  and  various  other  sectSc 
But  you  will  not  pronounce  their  disgusting  extrava- 
gances to  be  genuine  revivals  of  religion.  I  also 
admit  that  seasons  of  uncommon  attention  to  religion 
had  occasionally  been  experienced  in  the  calvinistic 
churches  both  in  Europe  and  America  before  this  peri- 
od. But  you  find  no  traces  of  anything  like  our  pre- 
sent delusions  in  any  of  the  reformed  denominations. 
So  that  we  may  justly  consider  Wesley  and  Whitefield 


the  authors  of  modern  revivals.  Their  followers  in  this 
country  have  generally  aimed  to  imitate  the  example 
of  their  leaders.  Most  of  the  Methodist  preachers  in 
America  have  taken  unwearied  pains  to  produce  similar 
excitements ;  and  they  have  labored  with  very  consid- 
erable success  among  the  more  ignorant  and  more  ex- 
citable members  of  our  community.  Now  you  should 
remember,  that  there  is  a  diversity  of  religious  opinions 
among  the  professors  of  this  pious  sect.  Nearly  all  in 
this  country  embrace  arminian  views  of  the  gospel,  and 
are  the  disciples  of  Wesley.  The  larger  portion  of  those 
in  England  receive  the  five  points  of  Calvinism,  and 
are  the  followers  of  Whitefield.  Not  a  few  both  in  En- 
gland and  America  have  been  led  by  a  prayerful  peru- 
sal of  the  scriptures  to  embrace  Unitarianism.  Read 
Ashworth's  most  interesting  account  of  the  rise  and  pro- 
gress of  the  Unitarian  doctrine  among  the  Methodists  of 
Rochdale,  Newchurch,  and  other  places.  Notwith- 
standing this  diversity  of  views,  these  revivals  are  prin- 
cipally confined  to  the  arminian  Methodists  of  Ame- 
rica. 

2.  In  the  second  place,  what  is  the  fact  in  relation  to 
the  Calvinistic  denomination  ?  When  Whitefield  first 
visited  this  part  of  our  country,  such  revivals  were 
scarcely  known  to  the  descendants  of  the  pilgrims". 
Some  of  the  orthodox  clergy  and  laity  cordially  united 
in  his  new  measures  for  their  production  ;  and  they 
succeeded  in  raising  such  a  tempest  and  whirlwind  of 
passion,  contention,  reviling  and  wickedness  as  never 
before  desolated  the  New  England  churches.  Others 
of  the  orthodox  clergy  and  laity,  equally  learned,  zeal- 
ous and  pious,  openly  opposed  the  operation  of  this 
human  machinery ;  and  for  their  conscientious  adhe- 
rence to  the  rules  of  good  order  and  gospel  institutions, 
were  denounced  as  the  enemies  of  Christ  and  God. 
Even  Whitefield  declared  that  the  president  of  Yale 
College  had  no  more  grace  in  his  heart  than  the  chair 
over  which  he  leaned  when  offering  his  prayers 
1* 


Since  that  memorable  period,  a  portion  of  the  Calvin- 
ists  of  our  land  have  favored  such  excitements,  and 
made  them  the  special  objects  of  their  prayers  and  exer- 
tions. A  minority  have  never  been  convinced  of  their 
divine  origin  and  beneficial  tendency  ;  and  have  accord- 
ingly observed  a  respectful  silence  on  the  subject,  or 
manfully  opposed  their  prevalence.  At  this  moment, 
you  find  several  individuals  of  distinction  raising  their 
voices  against  the  unscriptural  measures  adopted  for 
their  production.  Among  the  Calvinists  of  Europe,  such 
revivals  have  been  comparatively  unknown.  Those 
in  England  are  striving  at  this  very  time  to  bring  them 
into  existence.  They  have  been  excited  to  this  under- 
taking by  the  flattering,  partial,  and,  as  I  believe,  de- 
ceptive accounts,  of  what  was  taking  place  in  the  Ameri- 
can churches.  They  have  been  led  to  believe  in  their 
practicability,  usefulness  and  divine  origin  ;  and  have 
accordingly  put  in  operation  some  of  the  machinery 
necessary  for  their  production.  As  yet  little  or  no 
success  has  attended  their  exertions.  So  that  it  is  but 
a  few  years  since  such  revivals  were  introduced  into 
your  denomination  ;  and  they  have  never  been  foster- 
ed but  by  a  minority  of  the  whole  Calvinistic  body.  You 
will  also  remember  that  important  divisions  are  now  tak- 
ing place  among  the  adherents  of  orthodoxy  through- 
out the  world.  The  greater  portion  in  Germany  have 
embraced  universal  salvation.  The  most  distinguished 
minister  of  the  party  in  England,  Dr  J.  P.  Smith,  has 
adopted  views  of  the  inspiration  of  scriptures  nearly  ac- 
cordant with  those  embraced  by  Unitarians,  and  has 
even  denied  Solomon's  Song  to  be  any  part  of  the  book 
of  revelation.  In  this  country,  warm  disputes  exist  on 
several  topics,  such  as  the  eternal  generation  of  the  Son, 
the  atonement,  the  depravity  of  man,  and  regeneration  : 
so  that  what  is  orthodoxy  at  Princeton  is  denounced 
as  heresy  at  Andover.  But  nearly  all  the  leaders 
in  America  are  now  uniting  their  forces  to  crush  Lni- 
tarianism  by  the  production  of  these  religious  excite- 


ments.  Even  Dr  Taylor,  of  New  Haven,  who  con- 
sidered himself  so  severely  abused  by  Dr  Woods,  of 
Andover,  has  not  hesitated  to  visit  Boston,  and  to  en- 
gage earnestly  in  this  holy  warfare. 

3.  In  the  third  place,  what  is  the  fact  in  relation  to 
the  Episcopal  denomination?  Its  members  very  gen- 
erally disapprove  of  these  excitements.  When  they 
have  raged  in  their  immediate  neighborhoods,  they  have 
successfully  labored  in  checking  their  progress  and  in- 
fluence. One  of  the  American  bishops,  not  long  since, 
denounced  them  as  injurious  to  the  cause  of  pure  reli- 
gion, and  exhorted  his  clergy  to  oppose  their  prevalence. 
And  at  this  very  moment,  the  editors  of  their  leading 
journals  are  raising  their  voice  against  such  delusions. 
Take  the  following  sentences  from  the  Philadelphia  and 
Hartford  periodical  publications.  'There  are  some 
kinds  of  religious  excitement,  created  by  mechanical 
operations,  existing  through  animal  effervescence,  and 
leading  to  much  irregularity,  which  we  are  happy  to 
know  are  not  very  frequent  in  the  Episcopal  church, 
and  are  not  encouraged  by  Episcopalians  in  general, 
because  they  are  not  persuaded  of  their  being  in  any 
good  degree  conducive  to  true  charity  or  real  godliness. 
They  cannot  see  in  them  those  fruits  of  faith  and  piety, 
which  ripen  unto  eternal  life.  The  bonds  of  christian 
charity  are  all  rent  asunder,  the  meekness  and  humility 
of  the  gospel  contemned,  the  regular  ministers  of  Christ 
after  a  season  shunned  and  despised,  and  self-conceit, 
spiritual  pride,  and  self-righteousness  permitted  an  un- 
limited and  unyielding  ascendency.'  This  will  suffice 
for  the  present.  A  few,  however,  of  both  clergy  and 
laity  among  the  Episcopalians  entertain  different  opin- 
ions on  this  subject,  and  have  occasionally  united  with 
the  revivalists  of  other  sects  in  the  production  of  these 
excitements.  Now  you  are  aware  that  there  is  a  great 
diversity  of  religious  opinions  in  this  denomination. 
The  larger  portion  of  both  clergy  and  laity  give  an  Ar- 
minian  interpretation  to  the  thirty-nine  articles.     A  re- 


spectable  minority,  especially  in  England,  give  them  g 
Calvinistic  meaning.  Many  who  still  remain  within  the 
bosom  of  this  church  have  fully  embraced  Unitarian 
sentiments.  Some  whole  societies  have  adopted  an  ex- 
purgated liturgy.  And  you  must  also  remember  that 
our  pilgrim  fathers  professed  fully  to  believe  in  the  thir- 
ty-nine articles,  and  found  no  fault  with  this  formulary 
of  faith.  Listen  to  the  following  words  of  Dr  Increase 
Mather.  '  The  churches  here  were  planted  a  noble 
vine.  Indeed,  it  ivas  not  with  respect  to  the  fund amenr- 
tals  in  doctrine,  that  our  fathers  came  into  this  wilder- 
ness. For  they  agreed  to  the  doctrinal  articles  of  the 
church  of  England  as  fully  as  any,  and  more  fully  than 
many  of  the  conformists  of  that  church.'  But  with  all 
their  present  diversity  of  sentiment,  the  Episcopalians  are 
almost  uniformly  opposed  to  modern  revivals. 

4.  In  the  fourth  place,  what  is  the  fact  in  relation  to  the 
Baptist  denomination  ?  In  our  own  country,  most  of  its 
members  favor  such  religious  excitements ;  but  in  Eng- 
land, even  to  the  present  time,  such  revivals  have  scarce- 
ly had  an  existence  among  the  believers  in  immersion. 
In  this  sect  there  is  likewise  a  great  diversity  of  reli- 
gious sentiment.  Take  all  into  the  account  who  are 
called  Baptists,  and  you  will  probably  find  a  majority 
who  still  adhere  to  Calvinism.  But  the  number  who 
nave  embraced  Arminian  views  is  exceedingly  large 
and  very  respectable,  especially  in  our  Western  States; 
and  they  usually  meet  with  much  greater  success  in 
producing  these  excitements  than  their  Calvinistic  breth- 
ren. Another  very  large  body  have  renounced  human 
creeds  and  the  peculiarities  of  orthodoxy,  but  still  hold 
to  immersion  and  retain  the  name  of  Christian  Baptists. 
Alexander  Campbell,  who  had  the  controversy  with 
Robert  Owen  in  Cincinnati,  is  the  head  of  this  most 
respectable  class.  From  him  I  learned  the  nature  of 
their  belief,  which  is  decidedly  anti-trinitarian  and  anti- 
calvinistic  ;  and  also  the  probable  amount  of  their  pro- 
fessors, which  is  very  large.     -Most  of  this   party  pro- 


9 

duce  these  revivals ;  and  even  one  of  their  preachers^ 
baptized  several  hundred  converts,  the  fruits  of  his  own 
preaching,  within  one  year.  In  England,  the  denomina- 
tion is  divided  into  particular,  or  close  communion  Bap- 
tists, and  general,  or  open  communicants.  The  latter 
division,  has,  to  a  very  considerable  extent,  embraced 
Uintarianism.  But  neither  section  favor  these  religious 
excitements.  So  that,  upon  the  whole,  the  liberal  bap- 
tists far  exceed  their  orthodox  brethren  in  the  frequen- 
cy and  extent  of  their  revivals. 

5.  In  the  fifth  place,  what  is  the  fact  in  relation  to  the 
Congregational  Unitarian  denomination  ?  Some  of  its 
preachers  have  formerly  believed  such  excitements 
beneficial  under  certain  restrictions.  They  have  ac- 
cordingly adopted  the  necessary  measures  for  their  pro- 
duction. Their  exertions  have  been  crowned  with 
ample  success.  Without  advancing  one  word  of  Calvin- 
ism, they  have  succeeded  in  producing  very  extensive 
revivals.  They  have  managed  them  with  so  much  pru- 
dence and  resolution  as  to  avoid  the  most  serious  evils 
which  are  their  common  attendants;  and  in  this  way- 
have  received  large  accessions  to  their  churches.  I 
could  refer  you  to  names  and  dates  in  proof  of  this 
statement.  It  will  however  be  sufficient  to  name  the 
late  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot,  of  Beverly,  who  had  two  such 
excitements  during  his  ministry,  and  from  whom  I  re- 
ceived a  full  account  of  all  the  measures  adopted  for 
their  production  and  regulation.  I  ought  also  to  add 
that  his  experience  in  these  convinced  him  of  their 
evil  tendency.  But  far  the  largest  portion  of  this  de- 
nomination has  ever  opposed  these  extravagances  on 
principle  ;  and  at  this  moment  I  know  scarcely  an  in- 
dividual who  would  stand  forth  in  their  defence.  I  will 
not  however  speak  for  others  ;  but  for  my  own  part,  I 
must  affirm,  that  I  consider  all  such  commotions  as  the 
natural  result  of  human  machinery.  I  have  conscien- 
tiously raised  my  voice  against  their  prevalence.  And 
when  they  have  been  raging  in  our  immediate  vicinity, 


10 

we  have  successfully  endeavored  to  preserve  our  hear- 
ers from  their  baneful  influence  ;  and  the  consequence 
has  usually  been,  that  our  numbers  have  increased  rath- 
er than  diminished. 

6.  In  the  sixth  place,  what  is  the  fact  in  relation  to  the 
Christian  denomination  ?  Most  of  its  members  are  fa- 
vorable to  such  excitements.  They  have  been  greatly 
indebted  to  them  for  the  rapid  and  extensive  spread  of 
their  peculiar  sentiments.  Within  thirty  years,  they 
have  established  more  than  one  thousand  flourishing 
churches  in  the  United  States.  They  have  drawn 
largely  from  the  Calvinists,  the  Methodists,  the  Baptists  ; 
and  their  increase  has  been  essentially  aided  by  their 
frequent  and  extensive  revivals.  In  fact,  no  denomina- 
tion has  produced  them  so  frequently  as  the  Christians, 
according  to  their  respective  numbers.  And  what  are 
their  distinguishing  articles  of  faith?  They  have  au- 
thorized one  of  their  elders  to  publish  a  history  of  their 
origin,  progress,  opinions  and  numbers ;  and  from  this 
official  document,  you  learn  that  they  receive  the  Bible 
alone  as  their  standard  of  faith  and  practice,  and  pay 
no  allegiance  to  human  creeds  or  fallible  masters ; 
that  they  uniformly  reject  the  doctrine  of  the  trinity, 
and  the  five  points  of  Calvinism,  and  that  they  have  al- 
most universally  embraced  Unitarian  views  of  the  scrip- 
tures. And  while  preaching  these  sentiments  fully  and 
distinctly,  they  are  almost  daily  extending  their  borders, 
and  planting  new  and  respectable  churches.  I  noticed 
not  long  since,  that  one  of  their  preachers  had  convert- 
ed and  immersed  from  three  to  four  hundred  persons 
in  one  year,  in  the  Western  States.  During  my  visit 
among  them,  I  always  found  them  distinguished  for 
good  morals  and  practical  piety,  although  much  perse- 
cuted and  defamed  by  their  orthodox  brethren. 

Now,  sir,  you  will  not  I  presume  question  the  general 
correctness  of  this  statement.  And  what  do  such  facts 
prove?  The  five  following  propositions  :  1.  That  your 
assertion  is  altogether  untrue.     2.  That  these  revivals 


11 

do  not  depend  on  the  peculiar  religious  sentiments  of  any 
christian  denomination.  3.  That  those  ministers,  who 
think  such  revivals  favorable,  either  to  the  growth  of  re- 
ligion, or  the  increase  of  their  party,  adopt  the  necessa- 
ry measures  for  their  production  ;  and  that  sooner  or 
later  these  exertions  are  crowned  with  a  greater  or  less 
degree  of  success,  be  their  creed  heterodox  or  orthodox. 

4.  That  those  preachers  who  believe  these  excitements 
to  be  unscriptural  and  of  injurious  tendency,  not  only 
cease  from  using  any  means  for  their  existence,  but 
adopt  the  necessary  measures  for  preventing  their  spread 
among  their  hearers ;  and  that  their  labors  are  also 
equally  successful,  be  their  creed  orthodox  or  heterodox. 

5.  That  no  sentiments  are  so  well  calculated  for  the 
promotion  of  these  revivals  as  those  embraced  by  Uni- 
tarians ;  for  no  sect  meets  with  so  much  success  in  get- 
ting them  up  as  the  Unitarian  Christians  and  Baptists. 
In  short,  it  is  perfectly  evident  that  any  minister  who 
is  so  disposed,  may  produce  one  of  your  religious  ex- 
citements. I  hope,  therefore,  you  will  correct  the 
wrong  impressions  which  your  assertions  have  left  on 
the  minds  of  less  informed  hearers. 

II.  You  assert  that  orthodox  revivals  are  produced  by 
scriptural  means  and  measures.  I  think  a  plain  state- 
ment of  facts  will  prove  your  assertion  untrue  ;  and  also 
convince  you  that  most  of  the  methods  adopted  for  their 
production  are  unchristian.  Let  us  then  attend  to  the 
facts  in  question. 

1.  What  is  the  first  step  to  be  taken  in  getting  up  an 
orthodox  revival?  Prayer  meetings.  Your  leaders 
become  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  their  peculiar  senti- 
ments. They  lament  the  rapid  and  extensive  spread 
of  liberal  views.  In  order  to  preserve  and  perpetuate 
a  belief  in  human  formularies,  they  determine  to  pro- 
mote a  religious  excitement.  They  enlist  the  feelings 
and  services  of  the  more  zealous,  excitable,  and  offi- 
cious church  members.     They  commence  operations 


12 

by  establishing   frequent  prayer   meetings.     You  bold 
them  at  an   early  hour  in  the  morning ;   you  continue 
them  to  an  unreasonable   hour  in  the  evening,  and  you 
appoint  them  for  almost  every  day  in  the  week.     When 
assembled,  you  implore  the  special   outpouring  of  the 
holy  spirit ;   and  you  would  have  the  ignorant   believe, 
that  a  supernatural  influence   is  actually  exerted  on  the 
hearts  of  both  saints  and  sinners,  by  which  the  former 
are  revived  and  the  latter  converted.     You  have  sev- 
eral prayers  at  each  meeting,  and  several  meetings  each 
week,  and  the  constant  burden  of  your  unceasing  pe- 
tition is  uniformly  the  same  ;  the  special  influences  of  the 
Almighty.     You   approach  the  throne  of  grace  without 
respect  or  reverence,  and  talk  to  the  eternal  Jehovah  as 
if  he  were  your   equal,  and  pledged  to  aid  your  party 
movements,  and  you  narrate  events  of  recent  occur- 
rence, and  circumstances  of  present  existence,  as  if  he 
were  ignorant  of  human  transactions,  and  could  receive 
directions  from  his  sinful  creatures.     Your   familiarity 
is  disgusting  to  the  most  common  and  shocking  to   the 
most  pious.     You   sometimes  go  so  far  as  to  call  the 
names  of  individuals,  families  and  denominations  ;   and 
denounce  those  who  dissent  from  your  doctrinal  belief 
as  infidels,  emissaries  of  satan,  and  enemies  to  all  holi- 
ness.    You  even  beseech  the  Lord  to  send  trouble,  an- 
guish  and  affliction  into   their  dwellings,  and  to  shake 
them  over  the  pit  of  hell.     Your  feelings  become  grad- 
ually excited  through  the  influence   of  sympathy   and 
combined  exertion.     You   readily   attribute    this  nat- 
ural result  of  your  belief  and  operations,  to  the  super- 
natural influence  of  God  Almighty.     You  profess  to  be- 
lieve, and  endeavor  to  make  others  believe,  that  this  an- 
imal excitement  is  the   special  and  immediate  answer 
to  your  devotions. 

Now  can  you  call  this  first  step  for  the  promotion  of 
a  revival  a  scriptural  measure  ?  Will  you  pretend  that 
such  meetings,  so  often,  for  such  objects,  and  so  con- 
ducted, are  authorized  by  the  instructions  or  example 


13 

of  any  inspired  teacher.  Are  they  not  virtually  con- 
demned by  the  preaching  and  practice  of  our  Saviour  ? 
Look  at  the  history  of  his  life,  and  explain  his  sayings  by 
the  rules  of  consistent  interpretation.  Did  he  not  severe- 
ly censure  the  Pharisees  for  their  long,  and  ostentatious 
prayers  ?  Did  he  not  solemnly  admonish  his  disciples 
to  avoid  the  vain  repetition  of  the  heathen  ?  Did  he  not 
assure  them  that  they  were  not  heard  for  their  much 
speaking ;  and  that  their  wants  were  known  to  their 
Heavenly  Father  before  their  devotions  ascended  ? 
Did  he  not  furnish  them  with  a  form  of  prayer  ;  short, 
comprehensive,  charitable  and  dignified  ?  Did  he  not 
declare  that  their  Heavenly  Father  was  more  ready  to 
give  them  his  holy  spirit,  in  his  own  manner,  than  earth- 
ly parents  are  to  give  good  gifts  to  their  children  ?  Did 
he  not  compare  the  influence  of  the  divine  spirit  to  the 
blowing  of  the  wind,  and  thus  instruct  them  that  the 
time  and  manner  of  its  operation  could  not  be  discern- 
ed ?  In  short,  can  you  point  to  a  passage  in  the  whole 
Bible,  in  which  Jesus  ever  authorized  the  appointment 
of  frequent  prayer  meetings  ?  ever  directed  christians  to 
pray  for  the  special  outpourings  of  the  holy  spirit?  ever 
allowed  an  almost  endless  succession  of  repetitions  in  de- 
votional exercises?  ever  taught  any  one  to  address  the 
Deity  with  shocking  familiarity  or  irreverent  indecency  ? 
ever  permitted  his  followers  to  denounce  their  breth- 
ren and  pronounce  judgment  on  their  hearts  and  cha- 
racters ?  ever  instructed  us  to  expect  immediate  and 
supernatural  answers  to  our  prayers  ?  or  ever  encouraged 
us  to  make  a  distinction  between  the  operations  of  the 
spirit  and  the  results  of  our  own  thoughts  and  feelings? 
In  saying  this,  I  do  not  mean  to  condemn  meetings  for 
social  worship,  when  convened  at  proper  seasons,  and 
conducted  in  a  proper  manner.  I  do  not  intend  to 
condemn  petitions  for  the  influences  of  the  holy  spirit, 
but  merely  to  prove  that  we  have  no  authority  from 
scripture  to  ask  or  expect  anything  special,  or  as  this 
word  is  understood,  miraculous.  With  these  qualifica- 
2 


14 

tions,  I  think  it   must  be  evident  to  all,  that  your  first 
measure  is  unscriptural. 

2.  What  is  the  second  step  to  be  taken  in  getting  up 
an   orthodox  revival.      Visiting  from  house  to  home. 
The   promoters   of  the  excitement  sometimes  district  a 
village  ny  town,  and  assign  to  each  individual  his  share 
of  the  barren  vineyard.     More  commonly  the  minister 
takes  tbi   laboi  w  holly  on  his  own  shoulders,  in  connexion 
with  some  clerical  assistants.     They  enter  a  house,  and 
assemb'3   its  inmates.     They  make   known  the  object 
of  their  visit,  and   either   ask  liberty  or  take  liberty,  to 
make  a  prayer.     They  inform  the  Almighty,  that  more 
or  less  of  the  present  company  are  still  in  the  gall  of 
bitterness  and  bonds   of  iniquity;   and  they  ask  for  the 
supernatural  influences  of  his  spirit  to  convert  them  from 
nature   to  grace.     They   then  utter   many  sentiments 
which  are   calculated  to  operate  on  the  feelings  of  the 
hearers,  and  advance   many  opinions    which  would  be 
considered    uncivil    in   conversation.     This   misnamed 
prayer,  you  follow  with  a  series  of  exhortations  and  de- 
nunciations.     You  frequently  assume  an   authoritative 
and  dictatorial  style  of  address.  You  often  manifest  an  un- 
charitable and  self-righteous  temper.  You  seem  to  regard 
all  who  will  not  pronounce  your  shibboleth,  both  old  and 
young,  as  so  many  totally  depraved  wretches  on  the  very 
brink  of  perdition.     You  threaten  them  over  and  over 
again  with  all  the  plagues  of  this  world,  and  all  the  mis- 
eries of  hell,  unless   they  repent   immediately.     You 
sometimes  take  the  young  females  by  the  hand,  and  al- 
low them  a  certain  number  of  minutes  to   determine 
whether  they  will  be  saved  or  damned.     You  are  very 
careful  to  visit  those  families  in  which  the  male  mem- 
bers are  opposed  to  your  operations,  in  the  absence  of 
husband,   father,  or  brother  ;   for  you    fear  their  pre- 
sence  and   influence.     In  all  this  process,   you  design 
to  frighten  the  weak,   the  timid,  the  young  and  the  ig- 
norant.    In   many  families  you  meet  with  considerable 
success,  and  are  instrumental  in  creating  alarm,  terror. 


15 

discord,  reviling  and  hatred  in  once  peaceful  and  united 
households.  When  your  church  members  are  sent 
around  on  this  errand,  it  occasionally  happens,  that  the 
ignorant,  and  perhaps  suspected  zealot,  thus  insults 
his  more  virtuous  and  pious  neighbors.  Tn  this  way 
the  excitement  is  rendered  more  powerful  and  extensive. 
Now  can  you  call  this  second  step  for  the  promotion 
of  a  revival  a  scriptural  measure  ?  Will  you  pretend 
that  this  kind  of  visiting,  and  praying,  and  frightening 
was  ever  adopted  by  any  inspired  teacher?  Is  not  the 
whole  process  virtually  condemned  by  the  example 
and  instructions  of  our  Saviour  and  his  apostles  ?  Did 
the  heavenly  Jesus  ever  district  the  city  of  Jerusalem, 
and  send  his  apostles  to  visit  every  individual  and 
family  ?  Did  he  ever  ask  the  members  of  a  household 
for  liberty  to  pray  in  their  presence  ;  or  ever  proceed 
to  offer  up  devotions  against  their  consent;  or  ever 
denounce  them  as  unconverted  in  his  addresses  to  his 
heavenly  Father  ?  Did  he  ever  say  to  the  fearful  and 
distrusting,  that  endless  torments  must  be  their  portion 
unless  they  repented  within  a  given  number  of  min- 
utes? Did  he  ever  conduct  unkindly,  or  uncivilly, 
or  impolitely  towards  an  individual  or  family  ?  Did 
he  send  his  apostles  abroad  to  create  terror,  dis- 
may, and  excitement?  Did  he  not  charge  them  to 
say — peace  be  within  this  dwelling,  whenever  they  en- 
tered a  house  ?  On  the  other  hand,  did  he  not  level 
most  of  his  denunciations  against  the  loud  professing, 
over  zealous,  madly  proselyting  Pharisees  ?  Did  he  not 
censure  them  for  their  disfigured  faces,  their  ostenta- 
tious prayers  and  alms-givings,  their  neglect  of  the 
weighter  matters  of  the  law,  and  their  spiritual  pride 
and  self  righteousness.  Did  not  the  apostles  severely 
reprove  those  who  went  creeping  from  house  to  house 
to  lead  captive  silly  women  ?  Did  they  not  com- 
mand those  to  be  marked  and  avoided  who  caus- 
ed divisions  in  families,  neighborhoods  and  societies? 
Pid  they  not  rank  busy-bodies  in  other  people's  con- 


16 

cerns,  among  the  most  depraved  and  wicked  ?  In 
these  remarks,  I  would  not  be  understood  as  disap- 
proving pastoral  visits ;  but  you  well  know  that  pasto- 
ral visits  and  revival  visits  are  as  opposite  as  light  and 
darkness.  And  I  think  every  man  must  see  that  this 
latter  practice  is  altogether  unscriptural. 

3.  What  is  the  third  step  to  be  taken  in  getting  up 
an  orthodox  revival?  Multiplied  meetings  for  exhor- 
tation. You  have  lately  held  three  or  four  long  servi- 
ces on  the  sabbath,  and  three  or  four  more  on  each  of 
four  days  in  the  week.  You  entreat  all  your  society 
to  attend,  and  bring  with  them  as  many  of  their  friends 
and  acquaintances  as  can  possibly  be  urged  to  accom- 
pany them.  You  suppose  that  those  members  of  Uni- 
tarian parishes  who  have  never  witnessed  your  revi- 
val measures,  may  be  more  easily  excited  than  those 
of  your  own  hearers  who  have  been  accustomed  to 
such  influences  ?  You  invite  from  abroad  those  preach- 
ers who  have  acquired  some  celebrity  in  creating  an 
excitement,  and  who  are  well  calculated  to  arouse  the 
feelings  and  passions,  by  their  appearance,  voice  and 
gestures ;  by  their  bold  declamation  and  reckless  de- 
nunciation ;  by  their  exaggerated  statements  and  fright- 
ful descriptions.  Your  discourses  are  characterized  by 
extravagance.  You  represent  the  Supreme  Being  as 
an  inexorable  Judge,  glowing  with  the  flames  of  wrath 
and  anger,  determined  to  wreak  his  vengeance  on  all 
of  his  dependent  creatures  who  will  not  bow  to  his  scep- 
tre. You  paint  the  depravity  of  man  in  colors  as  dark 
as  the  blackness  of  hell ;  and  to  the  infernal  regions 
you  must  resort  to  find  any  living  resemblance  to  your 
picture.  You  describe  the  torments  of  the  damned, 
by  images  at  once  disgusting,  shocking,  and  terrific ; 
and  pronounce  them  both  unutterably  excruciating  in 
degree,  and  endless  in  duration.  From  almost  every 
page  of  your  harangue,  the  flashes  of  a  material  hell 
are  constantly  bursting,  and  the  suffocating  smoke  of 
burning  brimstone  continually  ascending.    By  way  of 


17 

contrast,  you  depict  the  joys  of  the  redeemed  in  the 
glowing  language  of  poetic  fiction.  But  this  is  not  all. 
You  introduce  accounts  of  what  had  occurred  in  other 
societies  and  distant  places ;  and  relate  doubtful 
stories  of  the  most  alarming  character.  You  tell 
of  one  opposer  of  your  excitements  who  has  been 
deprived  of  his  reason  by  the  miraculous  interpo- 
sition of  Deity  on  account  of  his  opposition.  You 
tell  of  a  young  female  who  lately  died  a  most  excru- 
ciating and  wretched  death,  because  she  had  forsaken 
inquiry  meetings.  You  mention  the  remarkable  con- 
versions of  persons  of  the  least  civil  or  military 
note,  in  order  to  prove  that  the  revival  may  extend 
beyond  weak  women  and  still  weaker  men.  You  en- 
deavor to  impress  the  conviction  that  the  Lord  is  present 
in  a  special  manner,  that  he  cannot  be  expected  to  re- 
main long,  and  that  many  of  your  hearers  will  be  dead 
before  his  return.  And  you  conclude  your  exhortation 
by  assuring  all  present,  that  some  of  their  number  will 
die  before  morning  ;  that  this  is  their  last  opportunity  to 
get  religion ;  and  that  unless  they  improve  the  passing 
moment,  the  morrow's  light  will  find  them  weeping  and 
wailing  among  the  damned  souls  of  the  infernal  world. 
You  then  have  your  anxious  seats,  or  your  trap 
doors  to  a  room  beneath,  where  the  frightened  are  col- 
lected, and  subjected  to  a  new  and  equally  unchristian 
process.  Time  would  fail  me  to  record  all  the  fanati- 
cal extravagances  of  such  meetings. 

And  can  you  call  this  third  step  for  the  promotion  of 
a  revival  a  scriptural  measure  ?  Will  you  pretend  that 
the  gospel  furnishes  any  authority  for  such  proceedings  ? 
Did  our  Saviour  ever  appoint  three  or  four  meetings  on 
the  sabbath,  or  a  dozen  or  twenty  during  a  week? 
Did  he  ever  send  for  others  to  help  him  produce  an 
excitement?  Did  his  revival  discourses  bear  the  least 
resemblance  to  those  of  modern  days?  Read  again  his 
sermon  on  the  mount,  and  every  exhortation  he  deliv- 

2* 


18 

ered  ;  and  if  you  are  not  willing  to  confess  that  his 
preaching  condemns  yours,  I  shall  begin  to  think  you 
absolutely  blinded.  When  Paul  first  preached  the  gos- 
pel at  Antioch,  why  did  he  wait  from  one  sabbath  till 
the  next,  before  he  completed  his  message  ?  Why  did 
he  not  call  the  people  together  during  the  week,  and 
hold  four-day  meetings  ?  Had  he  no  love  for  their 
souls?  Or  did  he  not  understand  how  to  get  up  a  re- 
vival? And  where  in  the  whole  compass  of  revelation, 
can  you  find  any  model  for  your  representations  of  God 
and  his  government;  of  the  nature  and  means  of  con- 
version ;  of  the  depravity  and  inability  of  mankind  ;  of 
the  regions  of  hell  and  heaven  !  Nay,  where  can  you 
find  any  such  specimens  of  religious  extravagance  and 
fanaticism,  not  to  say  falsehood  and  madness? 

4.  What  is  the  fourth  step  to  be  taken  in  getting  up 
an  orthodox  revival?  Whispering  meetings.  Those 
disposed  to  favor  the  excitement  assemble  of  an  even- 
ing in  a  dimly  lighted  apartment.  Much  the  larger  por- 
tion of  the  company  are  females.  Either  the  minister 
or  some  male  assistant  passes  around  the  room,  and 
whispers  something  into  the  ear  of  every  individual. 
He  generally  repeats  some  striking  passage  of  scripture, 
or  gives  some  solemn  admonition,  or  utters  some  awak- 
ening truth,  or  puts  some  startling  question,  or  pronoun- 
ces some  unauthorized  assertion.  By  the  stillness  and 
deathlike  silence  of  the  scene  ;  by  the  ghastly  appear- 
ance of  every  countenance  on  which  the  dying  light 
casts  its  paleness ;  by  a  sudden  change  in  the  train  of 
thought  or  state  of  feeling,  he  hopes  to  excite  a  high 
degree  of  terror  and  agitation.  For  when  the  timid 
subject  is  thoroughly  frightened,  she  can  be  moulded  at 
pleasure ;  she  can  be  induced  to  make  any  acknowl- 
edgements, and  sign  any  confessions  and  give  her  assent 
to  any  creed,  and  adopt  any  party  measures.  The 
whole  process  reminds  one  most  forcibly  of  the  modes 
of  operation  upon  those  suspected  of  witchcraft  in  the 
time  of  our  fathers. 


19 

Now  can  you  call  this  fourth  step  for  the  promotion 
of  a  revival,  a  scriptural  measure  ?  Is  it  authorized  by 
either  the  precept  or  example  of  any  inspired  teacher  ? 
For  a  moment  imagine  the  lowly  Jesus  at  such  a  meet- 
ing. Behold  him  enter  a  dimly  lighted  hall,  filled  most- 
ly with  anxious  and  gloomy  females.  See  him  whisper 
something  to  each  attentive  listener  as  he  passes  around 
the  chamber.  Even  the  supposition  of  such  a  case  is 
enough  to  shock  every  serious  mind,  destroy  all  wor- 
thy conceptions  of  our  Saviour's  dignity  and  delicacy, 
and  stamp  with  reprobation  every  such  proceeding. 
Can  there  be  found  a  female  of  any  refinement,  of  any 
sense  of  propriety,  of  any  true  modesty,  of  any  chris- 
tian humility,  who  would  submit  to  such  inquirers  ?  Can 
there  be  found  a  husband  who  would  willingly  permit 
his  beloved  wife  to  pass  through  such  an  ungodly  or- 
deal ?  Can  there  be  found  a  father  of  any  pretensions  to 
civilization,  who  would  knowingly  expose  a  daugh- 
ter to  the  operation  of  this  device  of  bigotry  and 
fanaticism  ?  But  I  may  not  put  you  to  the  blush  by 
asking  further  questions.  The  recollection  of  your 
Saviour's  conduct  must  convince  you  of  the  unscriptu- 
ral  character  of  this  measure. 

5.  What  is  the  fifth  step  to  be  taken  in  getting  up 
an  orthodox  revival  ?  Inquiry  meetings.  When  the 
unconverted  have  become  so  much  terrified,  as  to  con- 
fess themselves  totally  depraved,  haters  of  their  heaven- 
ly Father,  and  enemies  to  all  goodness,  they  assemble 
on  the  appointed  evening  to  inquire  either  of  the  min- 
ister or  some  church  member  what  they  must  do  to  be 
saved.  None  are  admitted  but  those  who  feel  anxious 
for  the  salvation  of  their  souls ;  for  the  conversation  of 
others  might  savor  too  much  of  common  sense.  No 
discussion  of  disputed  questions  is  allowed  ;  for  this 
practice  might  leave  too  much  liberty  to  the  understand- 
ing. The  inquirers  have  but  little  to  say,  except  to  an- 
swer the  questions  of  their  leaders.     And  it  frequently 


20 

happens  that  they  are  led  to  raake  very  amusing  and  lu- 
dicrous replies.  They  are  often  assured  that  their  con- 
victions of  sin  are  not  sufficiently  deep  and  pungent ; 
that  they  must  have  some  experimental  acquaintance 
with  the  torments  of  the  reprobate,  and  that  they  must 
even  feel  desirous  of  dethroning  the  Almighty.  They 
are  sometimes  assured  that  they  must  feel  willing  to  be 
damned,  before  they  can  be  saved  ;  that  they  can  of 
themselves  do  nothing  to  effect  their  own  conversion, 
and  that  even  their  prayers  are  an  abomination  to  the 
Lord.  They  are  likewise  assured  that  they  must  cor- 
dially receive  the  doctrines  of  grace,  or  the  human  ar- 
ticles of  orthodoxy;  that  this  is  a  necessary  evidence 
of  the  humility  of  their  stubborn  hearts,  and  that  all  in- 
quiry and  examination  are  out  of  the  question  when  the 
spirit  is  in  operation.  In  short,  their  reason  and  under- 
standing are  surrendered  to  the  dictation  of  the  minister 
and  his  assistants ;  and  they  readily  embrace  whatever 
opinions  are  prescribed  for  their  special  benefit,  wheth- 
er they  relate  to  doctrines,  practice,  or  other  denomina- 
tions. 

Now  can  you  call  this  fifth  step  for  the  promotion  of 
a  revival  a  scriptural  measure  ?  Is  it  authorized  by  eith- 
er the  teachings  or  doings  of  any  inspired  instructor  ? 
There  was  a  most  urgent  necessity  for  persons  to  in- 
quire of  our  Saviour  the  way  of  salvation.  They  had 
no  written  gospel.  Not  only  so  ;  when  sinners  came 
for  information  on  this  infinitely  important  question, 
what  was  his  answer?  Keep  the  commandments. 
There  was  no  delay  ;  nothing  said  about  the  nature 
and  depth  of  their  convictions ;  nothing  about  the  doc- 
trines of  a  trinity,  an  atonement,  total  depravity,  and  a 
calvinistic  hell  ;  nothing  about  human  inability  and  spe- 
cial influences,  and  nothing  about  dreams,  and  visions, 
and  experiences.  No  :  the  answer  was  plain  and 
simple  ;  so  plain  that  the  wayfaring  man,  though  a  fool, 
could  not  mistake.     And  what  did  the  inspired  apostles 


21 

say  to  those  who  inquired  of  them  the  way  of  salvation? 
The  same  thing  in  reality.  Reform.  Turn  from  your 
evil  ways  to  the  practice  of  holiness.  Believe  on  the 
Lord  Jesus.  Prove  the  sincerity  of  your  faith  by  obe- 
dience to  his  authority.  Now  the  case  is  very  differ- 
ent. We  have  the  scriptures  in  our  own  language. 
We  have  the  very  answers  of  Jesus  and  his  apostles. 
We  can  all  read  and  understand  for  ourselves ;  for  we 
have  received  the  rudiments  of  our  Christian  education. 
There  is  no  necessity  for  such  proceedings.  It  is  indeed 
quite  another  thing  to  inquire  into  the  meaning  of  diffi- 
cult passages  of  holy  writ.  This  may  be  rendered  a 
useful  and  necessary  exercise  ;  and  it  may  also  be  prop- 
er, pleasant,  and  beneficial  to  meet  for  religious  conver- 
sation. But  to  surrender  ourselves  into  the  hands  of 
ministers  or  deacons  on  this  momentous  subject,  is 
slighting  the  blessed  gospel,  is  giving  up  our  religious 
liberty,  is  putting  our  trust  in  fallible  mortals,  is  degrad- 
ing our  very  character,  and  is  virtually  forbidden  by 
the  whole  history  of  our  Saviour's  life. 

6.  Such  are  some  of  the  common  measures  for  the 
production  of  orthodox  revivals.  Several  others  of  a 
more  dangerous  character  have  been  invented  and  put 
in  operation  in  New  York ;  but  not  generally  approved 
in  New  England.  I  shall  not  describe  the  means  used 
in  colleges  for  the  creation  of  such  excitements.  I  have 
received  a  very  full  and  satisfactory  account  of  all  the 
arts  and  contivances  adopted  in  one  such  institution,  from 
a  gentleman  who  took  a  most  active  part  in  originating 
and  promoting  the  commotion.  Should  the  cause  re- 
quire it,  this  shall  be  made  the  basis  of  a  separate  pub- 
lication. But  one  idea  presses  most  forcibly  on  my 
mind,  when  I  hear  the  boasting  of  your  leaders  concern- 
ing college  revivals.  Why  have  you  not  succeeded  in 
getting  up  an  excitement  in  Cambridge,  if  it  is  ihe  spe- 
cial work  of  the  Almighty  ?  It  is  now  several  years 
since  it  was  proposed  among  you  to  devote  one  hour, 


22 

each  week,  for  this  object.  The  proposal  was  exten- 
sively adopted.  And  is  not  the  total  failure  of  all 
your  efforts  ;  of  all  your  stated  devotions,  expressly 
uttered  for  this  purpose.  And  this  is  a  conclusive 
proof  that  the  excitements  in  other  colleges  are  produ- 
ced by  the  agency  of  human  beings. 

Now  look  at  the  common  measures  for  getting  up 
orthodox  revivals.  Are  they  scriptural  ?  No.  This 
you  will  not  even  pretend,  after  our  present  examination. 
Very  well.  Did  not  our  heavenly  Father  understand  the 
nature,  depravity  and  danger  of  sinners  when  he  caus- 
ed the  gospel  to  be  published  ?  Did  he  not  know  what 
measures  were  best  adapted  to  bring  them  to  repent- 
ance, conversion,  regeneration,  reformation  ?  If  you 
say  he  did  not  know,  then  you  make  him  an  ignorant 
and  imperfect  being  ;  but  if  you  say  he  did  know  these 
things,  then  you  admit  that  your  revivial  measures  have 
not  his  sanction.  Not  only  so.  Did  not  our  Saviour 
know  what  was  in  man  ?  Did  he  not  love  the  souls  of 
dying  sinners  as  well,  to  say  the  least,  as  modern  ortho- 
dox preachers?  Did  he  not  know,  as  well  as  they,  to 
what  present  and  future  dangers  the  disobedient  are 
continually  exposed  ?  Did  he  not  know  as  well  as  they, 
wThat  means  were  best  calculated  to  promote  the  spread 
and  influence  of  his  own  religion  ?  If  you  say  he  did 
not  know  these  things,  you  accuse  him  of  ignorance 
and  deception  on  the  very  business  of  his  divine  mission. 
If  you  say,  that  your  revival  machinery  are  improve- 
ments upon  our  Saviour's  modes  of  operation,  you  charge 
him  with  want  of  qualifications  for  his  office  as  Messiah 
and  Saviour.  If  you  admit  that  he  did  know  all  these 
things,  then  you  must  acknowledge  that  the  measures  of 
modern  revivalists  are  unscriptural,  and  ought  to  be 
banished  from  the  christian  world.  Take  which  horn 
of  the  dilemma  you  please. 

III.  You  assert  that  orthodox  revivals  produce  the 


23 

genuine  fruits  of  the  gospel.  I  think  a  plain  statement 
of  facts  will  prove  your  assertion  untrue;  and  also 
convince  you,  that  the  principal  effects  of  such  excite- 
ments are  unchristian. 

1.  In  the  first  place,  your  revivals  create  disgust  and 
infidelity.  Look  into  your  societies.  No  small  num- 
ber of  your  more  respectable  and  intelligent  members 
are  completely  disgusted  with  your  proceedings. 
They  regard  your  measures  as  sectarian  and  fanatical. 
They  have  lost  all  confidence  in  the  good  sense  and 
sound  judgment  of  your  lay  and  clerical  leaders. 
They  do  not  hesitate  openly  and  loudly  to  express 
their  dissatisfaction.  Were  this  all,  I  should  not  so 
much  regret  the  effect ;  for  I  believe  the  present  ex- 
citement may  be  instrumental  of  leading  them  to  a 
study  of  the  scriptures,  and  converting  them  to  more 
liberal  views  of  the  gospel.  But  another  class  are 
driven  by  your  extravagances  into  open  infidelity. 
They  cannot  believe  that  a  system  of  religion,  which 
requires  such  worldly  policy  and  artful  manceuvering 
and  gross  improprieties,  for  its  support  and  propagation, 
can  proceed  from  the  fountain  of  heavenly  wisdom. 
They  do  not  distinguish  between  the  corruptions  of  the 
gospel,  and  the  gospel  itself;  nor  between  the  abuses 
of  overheated  and  misguided  zealots,  and  the  undisput- 
ed blessings  of  Christianity.  They  accordingly  array 
themselves  against  religion  itself,  and  regard  most  of 
its  votaries  as  enthusiasts,  fools  or  hypocrites.  Yes ; 
the  notorious  female  apostle  of  infidelity  has  herself 
assured  us,  that  she  was  induced  to  enter  upon  her 
present  desolating  mission,  wholly  from  witnessing  the 
blasting  and  ravaging  evils  of  one  of  your  revivals ; 
and  to  this  cause  alone,  is  to  be  traced  her  zeal  and 
perseverance  in  the  service  of  irreligion  and  atheism. 

And  is  all  this  christian  fruit  ?  Is  this  the  natural 
consequence  of  a  revival  of  pure  religion  in  a  christian 
land  ?  By  no  means.  Is  there  anything  in  the  gospel 
itself  to  produce  such  pernicious  results  ?     No.     The 


24 

rational,  purifying,  ennobling,  exalting  system  of  Jesus 
is  directly  calculated  to  secure  the  assent,  the  appro- 
bation, the  hearty  belief,  the  cordial  co-operation  of  all 
candid  and  worthy  citizens.  Did  the  Author  and  Fin- 
isher of  our  faith,  or  his  Apostles,  ever  adopt  any 
measures  for  the  propagation  of  Christianity,  which  were 
calculated  to  produce  such  lamentable  effects  ?  No. 
They  always  appealed  to  the  reason  and  conscience  of 
their  hearers,  were  always  open  and  honest  in  all  their 
movements,  and  uniformly  manifested  lovely  disposi- 
tions and  upright  characters.  O  how  did  their  modes 
of  operation  differ,  while  spreading  the  glad  tidings  of 
peace  and  salvation  among  the  unbelieving,  and  inimi- 
cal Jews  and  Gentiles,  from  those  now  adopted  by  your 
ministers,  while  endeavoring  to  convert  to  orthodoxy 
those  whose  belief  in  the  gospel  is  unwavering,  and  whose 
morals  are  unimpeachable  !  And  is  not  the  influence 
of  those,  you  are  driving  from  Christ  and  from  hope, 
wanted  on  the  side  of  good  order  and  uncorrupted  re- 
ligion ?  Yes;  and  fortius  disgust  and  infidelity,  cre- 
ated by  your  unscriptural  excitements,  you  are  account- 
able. For  this  unnecessary  offence  to  the  cause  of 
truth,  you  incur  a  fearful  weight  of  responsibleness. 
As  a  dying  man,  as  a  friend  to  the  best  interests  of  so- 
ciety, I  beseech  you  to  abstain  from  thus  wounding  our 
common  master  in  the  house  of  his  followers. 

2.  In  the  second  place,  your  revivals  create  divisions 
and  dissensions.  They  enter  united  families,  neighbor- 
hoods, and  societies.  Yes  ;  your  excitements  enter 
families.  Husbands  and  wives  are  driven  to  different 
places  of  worship.  The  bonds  of  early  and  long  cher- 
ished friendship  are  burst  asunder.  All  community  of 
feeling  and  interest  and  sympathy  is  destroyed.  Those 
hearts  which  should  have  been  filled  with  tender  and 
indissoluble  affection  are  swelled  with  a  fearful  pity  for 
each  others  frailty.  The  children  take  sides  with  one 
or  the  other  of  the  parents.     Their  young  bosoms  are 


25 

excited  with  bitterness  towards  each  other.  The  words 
of  reproof  and  condemnation  fall  from  their  agitated 
and  quivering  lips.  Domestic  harmony  is  disturbed  ; 
and  home  is  no  longer  the  abode  of  parental  tender- 
ness, filial  piety,  rational  enjoyment,  and  mutual  im- 
provement. Your  excitements  also  enter  neighbor- 
hoods. Long  tried  friends  are  separated.  Social  in- 
tercourse is  interrupted.  Acquaintances  meet  without 
the  accustomed  salutation,  or  pass  each  other  either 
with  averted  looks,  or  a  self-righteous  or  sneering  de- 
meanor. The  surrounding  atmosphere  is  surcharged 
with  tattlings,  backbitings,  envyings,  and  all  manner  of 
evil  speaking.  Your  revivals  likewise  enter  churches 
and  societies.  Those  who  had  often  walked  to  the  house 
of  God  together,  and  communed  at  the  same  table,  are 
widely  estranged  from  each  other;  and  they  are  led  to 
believe,  that  they  can  no  longer  wrorship  and  com- 
mune in  the  same  place,  although  all  adhere  to  the 
same  orthodox  doctrines.  Several  such  cases  are  with- 
in your  own  knowledge.  Even  those  professing  godli- 
ness are  excited  to  denounce  each  other  as  unconvert- 
ed, dishonest  and  wicked,  notwithstanding  their  agree- 
ment on  doctrinal  sentiments.  And  not  unfrequently 
new  societies  of  different  religious  opinions  are  com- 
pelled by  the  denunciations  of  your  leaders  to  organize 
themselves  for  the  support  of  separate  worship  and  in- 
struction. 

And  is  all  this  christian  fruit  ?  Is  this  the  natural  con- 
sequence of  a  revival  of  pure  religion  in  a  christian  com- 
munity ?  By  no  means.  When  the  gospel  was  first 
promulgated,  it  did  indeed  set  the  father  against  the 
son,  and  the  son  against  the  father ;  the  mother  against 
the  daughter,  and  the  daughter  against  the  mother  ;  the 
mother-in-law  against  the  daughter-in-law,  and  the 
daughter-in-law  against  her  mother-in-law.  For,  on  the 
one  side,  were  the  unbelieving,  self-righteous,  persecu- 
ting Jews,  or  the  bigoted,  superstitious,  uncharitable 
heathen ;  and  on  the  other  side,  were  the  converts  to 
3 


26 

the  new  religion,  meek,  peaceable,  forbearing,  forgiv- 
ing and  unresisting.  Now  the  case  is  entirely  different. 
5four  revivals  produce  opposition  and  enmities  among 
believers  themselves.  On  the  one  hand,  are  the  new- 
ly revived,  or  newly  converted,  too  often  manifesting 
the  spirit,  and  imitating  the  conduct  of  the  ancient  un- 
believers;  and  on  the  other  hand,  are  those  whom  you 
denounce  as  totally  depraved,  wholly  averse  to  all  good, 
wholly  inclined  to  all  evil,  very  frequently  exhibiting 
the  disposition  and  character  of  the  early  christians. 
No  doubt  there  are  faults  on  all  sides  ;  but  wo  to  those 
by  whom  the  offence  cometh.  Paul  condemns  his 
Corinthian  converts  as  carnal,  because  they  had  divi- 
sions among  themselves,  which  were  not  the  natural 
fruit  of  his  religion.  And  I  have  no  hesitation  in 
applying  the  same  epithet  to  those,  who  are  now  spread- 
ing the  same  blighting  and  soul-withering  evils,  by  their 
injurious  and  unscriptural  measures  and  exertions  to 
swell  the  number  of  their  adherents.  As  a  friend  to 
domestic  comfort,  to  refined  and  elevated  society,  to 
christian  order  and  institutions,  I  do  beseech  you  to  ab- 
stain from  sowing  the  fruitful  seeds  of  disorganization 
and  wretchedness. 

3.  In  the  third  place,  your  revivals  create  a  neglect 
of  important  duties.  Should  one  occur  in  the  spring, 
the  appropriate  labors  of  the  season  are  either  omit- 
ted or  imperfectly  executed.  Produce  one  in  autumn, 
harvest  is  either  injured  or  ruined  for  want  of  care  and 
attention.  At  whatever  period  you  get  them  up,  wheth- 
er in  the  city  or  country,  many  necessary  domestic 
duties  are  either  greatly  slighted  or  wholly  neglected. 
The  wants  and  instruction  of  children  are  disregarded  ; 
and  their  lives  are  sometimes  exposed  by  being  left  des- 
titute of  proper  protection.  A  thousand  little  nameless 
services,  which  are  absolutely  essential  to  the  well  be- 
ing, harmony,  comfort  and  improvement  of  the  family 
circle  are  entirely  overlooked.  O  how  many  com- 
plaints  of  this  nature  have  come  to  my  knowledge  I 


27 

And  what  are  your  leaders  now  doing?  You  are  hold- 
ing four  day  meetings,  both  in  Boston  and  throughout 
the  country;  and  you  are  extending  them  from  one 
week  to  another,  until  you  have  nearly  completed  a 
whole  month.  Now  can  you  suppose  that  those  who 
attend  from  early  morn  to  late  at  night,  neglect  no  im- 
portant duties?  Were  those  hours  formerly  given  to 
idleness,  amusement,  or  unnecessary  labors,  which  are 
now  devoted  to  religious  dissipation  ?  Does  their  wealth 
justify  them  in  leaving  the  daily  cares  of  life  to  the 
management  of  hirelings  ?  Go  into  their  houses,  stores, 
shops,  and  fields,  and  you  will  witness  a  sinful  neglect 
of  commanded  duties. 

And  is  all  this  christian  fruit?  Ts  this  the  natural  con- 
sequence of  a  revival  of  pure  religion  in  a  christian  com- 
monwealth ?  By  no  means.  If  you  neglect  any  in- 
cumbent duties  for  these  services  of  human  invention, 
are  you  not  guilty  in  the  sight  of  your  heavenly  Fath- 
er ?  Has  he  not  expressly  commanded  you  to  labor 
six  days  and  do  all  your  work.  Are  you  not  divinely 
instructed  that  He  prefers  mercy  to  sacrifice  ;  a  merci- 
ful act  done  towards  man,  in  preference  to  worship  of- 
fered to  himself?  And  are  there  none  among  you  who 
are  in  want  of  your  charitable  assistance  ;  in  want  of 
food,  and  clothing,  and  employment,  and  books,  and 
schools,  and  moral  and  religious  instruction?  Has  not 
an  apostle  informed  you,  that  those  who  neglect  to  pro- 
vide for  their  own  households,  have  denied  the  chris- 
tian faith,  and  are  worse  than  infidels  ?  And  are  none 
of  you  neglecting  to  provide  those  things  which  are 
necessary  for  the  peace,  comfort,  convenience,  harmo- 
ny and  improvement  of  your  connexions  while  at- 
tending public  meetings,  morning,  noon  and  night; 
Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  Thursday  and  Friday;  the 
second,  third,  and  even  fourth  week  of  the  month  ? 
Has  not  Jesus  plainly  shown  you,  that  his  religion  con- 
sists in  faithfully  performing  all  incumbent  duties  in 
their  proper  manner,  proper  time,  and  proper  place  ? 


28 

Did  he  ever  leave  the  service  of  mankind  to  preach,  or 
sing,  or  pray,  or  exhort.  Look  well  to  his  example. 
Has  he  anywhere  given  you  leave  to  omit  a  single  ne- 
cessary duty  for  the  services  of  man's  invention  ? 
Will  the  performance  of  an  uncommanded  act,  though 
good  in  itself,  ever  atone  for  the  neglect  of  command- 
ed and  important  duties  ?  I  put  the  question  to  your 
conscience,  in  the  name  of  order  and  prosperity.  I 
do  beseech  you  to  abstain  from  holding  out  encour- 
agement to  idleness,  negligence  and  dissipation. 

4.  In  the  fourth  place,  your  revivals  increase  the  de- 
pravity of  many  who  are  exposed  to  their  influence. 
One  class  become  greatly  alarmed,  experience  most 
pungent  convictions,  make  no  small  noise  about  their 
hell-deserving  souls,  shake  off  their  unnatural  gloom 
and  depression,  are  brought  out  most  triumphantly,  ex- 
hort others  to  embrace  religion,  condemn  older  and  bet- 
ter christians  than  themselves,  and  set  up  for  remarka- 
ble instances  of  converting  grace.  But  within  a  short 
period,  their  unnatural  excitement  and  elevation  pass 
away,  leaving  them  with  the  same  nature,  the  same 
dispositions,  the  same  propensities,  the  same  characters 
as  they  possessed  before  their  supposed  regeneration. 
They  immediately  conclude  that  there  is  no  reality 
whatever  in  religion  itself;  that  those  who  keep  up  the 
appearances  of  piety,  are  mere  hypocrites,  and  that  the 
whole  affair  is  an  artful  contrivance  of  priestcraft. 
They  seem  impelled  by  their  past  experience  to  banish 
all  thoughts  of  God  and  duty  from  their  minds,  to  give 
loose  reins  to  their  appetites  and  passions,  and  to  plunge 
into  the  very  depths  of  dissipation  and  infidelity.  O 
how  many  could  I  name  within  the  circle  of  my  ac- 
quaintance who  have  been  thus  ruined  as  to  all  tempo- 
ral and  spiritual  prospects.  Another  class  pass  through 
the  same  process  in  a  similar  manner,  submit  to  an  ex- 
amination of  the  church  committee,  give  a  satisfactory 
relation  of  their  experiences,  are  saved  up  till  a  suffi- 
cient number  is  secured  to  make  a  display  at  the  sea- 


29 

son  of  admission  to  the  company  of  saints,  and  for  a  sea- 
son manifest  great  zeal  and  engagedness  in  the  cause 
of  orthodoxy.  After  a  little  time,  however,  they  relax 
in  their  duties,  and  become  suspected  of  being  spurious 
converts.  Some  of  them  are  disciplined  for  the  gross- 
est immoralities.  I  need  not  leave  this  village  for  ex- 
amples of  those,  whose  conversions  have  been  loudly 
trumpeted,  and  who  have  exhibited  great  earnestness  in 
denouncing  unitarians,  but  who  have  since  been  censur- 
ed and  punished  for  such  crimes  as  stealing  and  drunk- 
enness. Others  may  be  found  in  many  of  your  com- 
munions who  do  no  credit  to  their  profession,  and  who 
manifest  more  of  the  temper  of  the  world,  than  of  the 
spirit  of  Christ.  This  you  well  know ;  and  you  will 
not  think  me  uncharitable  in  mentioning  the  fact,  since 
these  very  converts  are  so  ready  to  condemn  their  more 
liberal  as  well  as  more  christian  brethren. 

And  is  all  this  christian  fruit?  Is  this  the  natural 
consequence  of  a  revival  of  pure  religion  in  this  moral 
community  ?  By  no  means.  Does  not  this  statement 
forcibly  remind  you  of  certain  denunciations  of  our  Sa- 
viour? Did  he  not  severely  censure  the  loud  profess- 
ing pharisees  for  their  extravagant  exertions  to  secure 
adherents  to  their  party?  Did  he  not  affirm  that  they 
compassed  sea  and  land  to  make  one  proselyte,  and 
that  when  their  object  was  accomplished,  he  was  ten 
fold  more  the  child  of  hell  than  before  his  conversion  ? 
Ought  not  the  striking  similarity  of  the  two  cases  to  lead 
you  to  consideration.  And  I  beseech  you,  as  you  value  the 
most  cherished  wishes  of  the  parental  bosom,  as  you  value 
the  purity  and  prosperity  of  the  christian  church,  as  you 
value  the  permanency  of  our  free  institutions,  as  you 
value  the  precept  and  example  and  sufferings  of  an  as- 
cended Saviour ;  as  you  value  the  salvation  of  immor- 
tal souls,  I  entreat  you  to  abstain  from  those  measures 
which  may  lead  to  the  corruption  of  our  youth,  and  the 
ruin  of  our  holy  religion. 

5.  In  the  fifth  place,  your  revivals  diminish  the  good- 
3* 


30 

ness  and  increase  the  wickedness  of  many  converts, 
I  now  allude  to  some  of  those  whom  you  regard  as 
worthy  members  of  your  communion,  and  whom  you 
consider  among  the  genuine  fruits  of  your  excitements. 
I  grant  that  they  perforin  some  duties  which  were  be- 
fore neglected  ;  such  perhaps  as  private  and  social  de- 
votion, examination  of  the  scriptures,  and  attendance 
upon  gospel  ordinances.     But  I  know  they  omit  some 
duties  which  were  before  practised,  and  commit  some 
sins  which  were  before  avoided.     Yes;  they  are  less 
loving,  confiding  and  attentive  as  wives  or  husbands ; 
less  affectionate  and  obedient  as  sons  or  daughters  ;  less 
kind  and  obliging  as  brothers  or  sisters ;  less  generous 
and  benevolent  as  friends  or  neighbors;  less  amiable, 
cheerful  and  instructive  as  companions   or  acquaintan- 
ces ;  less  devoted  to  intellectual  and  mutual  improve- 
ment as  citizens  and  countrymen.     On  the  other  hand, 
they  are  more  unhappy  in  their  tempers;  more  fretful 
in  their  dispositions;  more  gloomy  in  their  spirits;  more 
uncharitable  towards  those  who  dissent  from  their  creed  ; 
more  censorious  of  other  christians;  more  vain  and  self- 
righteous  ;  more  proud  and  revengeful.     I  am  sorry  to 
name  these   things ;  but  I   know   them    to    be   truths. 
How  many  could  I  mention,  how  very  many,  whose 
characters  have  been  thus  affected  by  their  conversion 
to  orthodoxy,  and  their  subjection  to  orthodox  influen- 
ces and  management.     You  also  know  that  my  state- 
ments are  literally  true  ;  and  you  will  probably  defend 
the  conduct  of  these  individuals.     You  will  say  that 
these  dispositions  and  practices  are  the  natural  result  of 
their  principles,  the  inevitable  consequences  of  their  sen- 
timents ;  and  that  they  could  not  have  their  liberty,  and 
do  otherwise. 

And  is  all  this  christian  fruit  ?  Is  this  the  natural 
consequence  of  a  pure  revival  of  religion  in  a  christian 
church  ?  By  no  means.  If  these  converts  have  been 
half  as  depraved  as  they  pretend,  they  should  humble 
themselves  in  dust  and  ashes,  and  not  suffer  themselves 


31 

to  be  puffed  up  with  spiritual  pride.     If  they  have  been 
wholly  converted  by  the  special  influences  of  the  spirit, 
as  they  affirm,  they  should  never  blame  others  for  con- 
tinuing in  a  state  of  nature  ;  for  in  this  case  the  reproach 
attaches  to  the  Deity  instead  of  the  sinner.     If  they 
have  now  for  the  first  time  become  enlightened,  so  as 
to  comprehend  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  as  they  declare, 
they    should    be  zealously    engaged    in  searching  the 
scriptures,  and  not  in  condemning  as  heretics  and  infi- 
dels   those  christians  who  have  much  more  religious 
knowledge  than  themselves.     If  they  would  induce  oth- 
ers to  embrace  religion,  they  should  exhibit  its  good  in- 
fluences on  themselves,  by  manifesting  more  purity  of 
mind  and  heart,  more  amiableness  and  gentleness  of 
temper,    more    kindness    and  benevolence  of   dispo- 
sition, more  cheerfulness  and  resignation  of  soul,  more 
virtue  and  holiness  of  conduct,  and  more  of  christian 
goodness  of  character.     For  every  diminution  in  any- 
thing true,  honest,  just,  pure,  lovely,  or  of  good  report, 
will  assuredly  be  noticed  and  condemned ;  and  every 
increase  in  anything  sour,  morose,  unkind,  peevish,  big- 
otted,  uncharitable  and  persecuting  will  also  be  consid- 
ered irreligious  and  unchristian.     As  a  member  of  the 
church  of  Christ,  I  do  therefore  beseech  you  to  abstain 
from  filling  up  our  communions  with  those  who  disgrace 
their  profession,  and  surrounding  the  Lord's  table  with 
unlovely  and  unworthy  guests. 

6.  In  the  sixth  place,  your  revivals  discourage  all 
free  inquiry  in  matters  of  religion.  Review  the  whole 
process.  The  fears,  feelings,  passions,  imagination 
become  highly  excited.  Reason,  judgment,  under- 
standing are  put  to  sleep.  All  patient  investigation, 
rigid  scrutiny,  and  calm  deliberation  are  out  of  the 
question.  When  nature  throws  off  the  unnatural  de- 
pression of  spirits,  and  permits  the  joyful  sensations  of 
humanity  to  arise,  this  natural  change  is  pronounced 
the  supernatural  work  of  the  holy  spirit ;  and  the  de- 
luded victims  are  directed  to  date  their  conversion 
from  this  moment.     They  then  embrace  the  religious 


32 

opinions  of  their  preachers,  without  inquiry,  examina- 
tion or  evidence  ;  and  pretend  to  understand  those  ab- 
struse questions  which  have  always  puzzled  the  wisest 
heads  in  Christendom.  Even  uneducated  females  have 
no  hesitation  in  condemning  the  ablest  divines  of  the 
period,  as  heretics,  unbelievers,  and  unconverted.  If 
the  excitement  is  among  the  Methodists,  the  converts 
heartily  believe  the  doctrines  of  Wesley  ;  if  among  the 
orthodox,  the  five  points  of  Calvin  are  embraced ;  and 
if  among  the  Unitarian  Christians,  liberal  views  of  the 
gospel  are  foundly  cherished ;  and  all  the  parties  are 
equally  positive  that  their  opinions  are  literally  true, 
and  have  been  impressed  upon  their  souls  by  the  spe- 
cial influence  of  the  holy  spirit.  Does  the  spirit  teach 
Calvinism  to  one,  Arminianism  to  a  second,  Unitarian- 
ism  to  a  third,  at  one  and  the  same  time  ?  But  this  is 
not  all.  You  immediately  receive  those  who  have  ob- 
tained a  hope  into  your  communions.  You  require 
their  hearty  assent  to  all  the  articles  of  a  long  human 
confession.  You  bind  them  down  to  this  fallible  stand- 
ard with  solemn  oaths  and  obligations ;  and  if  they 
renounce  the  creed,  you  subject  them  to  discipline 
and  excommunication. 

And  is  all  this  christian  fruit  ?  Is  this  the  natural 
consequence  of  a  revival  of  pure  religion  in  our  land 
of  liberty  and  knowledge  ?  By  no  means.  Did 
not  our  Saviour  command  his  hearers  to  judge  for 
themselves  concerning  what  was  right  ?  Did  not  his 
apostles  speak  to  wise  men,  and  direct  them  to  exam- 
ine their  instructions  ?  Did  they  not  commend  the 
Bereans  for  searching  the  scriptures  daily,  and  for  not 
being  willing  to  take  the  opinions  even  of  inspired 
teachers  upon  trust.  And  can  a  person  find  any  time 
in  a  season  of  excitement  for  a  calm  and  prayerful 
study  of  the  sacred  records  ?  And  if  he  could,  is  he 
in  a  proper  state  to  investigate  the  subjects  of  religion, 
while  under  the  control  of  fear,  and  despondency,  and 
despair  ?  And  what  motive  is  held  out  to  induce  him 
to  investigate    the    nature    of  truth  ?     He    knows   he 


33 

cannot  be  admitted  to  the  church  unless  he  will  un- 
hesitatingly receive  the  sentiments  of  his  minister. 
He  knows  that  he  must  be  denounced  as  unconverted, 
unless  he  will  assent  to  all  the  terms  of  the  human  for- 
mulary. He  knows  that  he  must  be  banished  from 
christian  fellowship,  if  he  should  be  led  by  evidence 
to  depart  from  the  fallible  standard  of  religious  doctrine. 
Do  you  not  throw  every  possible  obstacle  in  the  way 
of  free  inquiry  and  religious  liberty?  I  do  beseech 
you  to  remove  all  your  unscriptural  impediments  in  the 
way  of  divine  truth.  Require  your  hearers  to  be- 
lieve and  obey  the  scriptures.  Let  them  spend  at 
least  one  year  in  the  study  of  the  Bible  before  you 
compel  them  to  swear  fidelity  to  the  dogmas  of  or- 
thodoxy. Look  at  the  instructions  and  example  of 
our  Saviour  and  his  apostles  ;  and  see  if  you  can 
find  any  authority  for  such  proceedings. 

7.  In  the  seventh  place,  your  revivals  frequently 
produce  mental  derangement.  This  lamentable  evil 
occurs  in  two  different  ways.  One  is  this.  Persons 
of  delicate  constitutions  are  exposed  to  the  evening 
air,  bad  walking  and  weather,  ill  ventilated  apartments ; 
and  bodily  indisposition  is  the  natural  consequence. 
This  co-operates  with  anxious  minds,  and  shattered 
nerves,  and  depressed  spirits,  and  thus  dethrones  rea- 
son. I  recollect  a  case  of  this  description  which  oc- 
curred in  this  place  a  few  years  since.  The  person 
was  a  young  and  modest  female  from  a  neighboring 
state.  She  became  alarmed  for  her  soul's  welfare, 
and  exposed  her  health  while  attending  evening  meet- 
ings. Insanity  followed.  I  cannot  recall  the  unpleas- 
ant circumstances  without  extreme  pain ;  for  she  was 
the  stay  and  staff  of  aged,  and  infirm,  and  indigent, 
parents  ;  and  it  was  truly  melancholly  to  see  one  so 
young  and  fair  and  promising,  exhibiting  the  most  ma- 
licious behavior,  and  repeating  the  most  horrid  oaths, 
and  blasphemies. — The  other  method  in  which  your 
revivals  produce   derangement  is    this.    Your  horrid 


34 

views  of  the  character  of  God  and  the  nature  of  man  ; 
your  irrational  notions  of  divine  agency  and  human  in- 
ability ;  your  frightful  descriptions  of  an  eternal  mate- 
rial hell,  sink  into  the  minds  of  persons  whose  con- 
science is  tender,  whose  heart  is  sincere,  and  whose 
temperament  is  melancholic.  They  dwell  upon  your 
dark,  and  dismal  representations,  until  they  feel 
themselves  to  be  outcasts  from  hope,  and  heaven, 
and  God.  Fear  and  despair  deprive  them  of  their 
senses.  It  is  not  long  since  a  young  female  in  this 
place  imagined  herself  to  be  one  of  the  non-elect, 
although  she  had  obtained  sufficient  hope  at  a  former 
period  to  be  admitted  to  the  orthodox  church.  On 
one  dark,  stormy,  dismal  night,  she  left  her  board- 
ing house,  and  terminated  her  wretched  existence  by 
drowning.  Her  body  was  discovered  in  a  few  weeks, 
but  in  too  shocking  a  state  to  be  seen  by  her  ag- 
onized relatives.  Had  these  been  the  only  vic- 
tims which  I  have  known,  my  allusion  to  their  unhap- 
py fate  would  never  have  been  penned.  But,  Sir,  it 
is  a  most  solemn  and  melancholy  fact,  that  such  cases 
are  of  frequent  recurrence.  O  how  many  could  I 
name  who  have  thus  been  rendered  torments  to  them- 
selves, and  curses  to  their  relatives  ! 

And  is  all  this  christian  fruit  ?  Is  this  the  natural 
consequence  of  a  revival  of  pure  religion  in  a  land  of 
Bibles  ?  By  no  means.  Examine  the  scriptures.  Did 
any  such  deplorable  effects  attend  the  instructions  of 
Moses,  or  the  denunciations  of  the  Prophets  ?  Did  any 
such  lamentable  results  follow  the  ministry  of  our  Sa- 
viour or  his  apostles?  No.  And  how  do  you  recon- 
cile this  fact  with  the  greatest  evil  of  your  excitements? 
Is  not  human  nature  the  same  now  as  in  former  years  ? 
Are  mankind  any  more  depraved  now  than  in  past  ages  ? 
Did  not  the  inspired  preachers  declare  the  whole  coun- 
cil of  God?  Were  they  not  as  anxious  for  the  conver- 
sion of  sinners ;  did  they  not  love  the  souls  of  their  hear- 
ers as  well ;  did  they  not  know  what  measures  to  adopt 


35 

for  the  spread  of  truth,  as  well  as  orthodox  ministers  of 
the  present  period.  Are  }rou  more  faithful  in  applying 
the  great  principles  of  religion,  and  more  skilful  in  man» 
aging  the  ignorant  classes  of  society ;  or  did  the  inspired 
instructers  deliver  different  doctrines,  and  adopt  differ- 
ent modes  of  operation  ?  Not  only  so.  What  was  the 
conduct  of  our  Saviour  towards  those  who  were  bowed 
down  with  a  sense  of  their  wickedness  ?  '  Son,  daugh- 
ter, be  of  good  cheer ;  thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee.' 
Does  this  mode  of  address  bear  the  remotest  resem- 
blance to  your  treatment  of  the  penitent  ?  O  that  our 
people  would  look  to  the  example  and  precepts  of  Je- 
sus !  As  a  follower  of  this  master,  I  do  beseech  you 
to  reflect  on  this  subject,  and  to  cease  those  modes  of 
operation  which  are  filling  our  hospitals  with  lunatics, 
and  the  breasts  of  relatives  with  unmingled  grief  or  bit- 
terness. 

8.  In  the  eighth  place,  your  revivals  are  generally  fol- 
lowed by  an  increased  degree  of  indifference,  irreligion 
and  immorality.  This  is  stated  by  your  own  denomin- 
ation. And  it  is  a  most  natural  consequence  of  your 
unnatural  commotion,  following  the  law  of  all  ex- 
tremes which  are  ever  tending  to  their  opposites. 
The  more  respectable  members  of  the  congrega- 
tion give  practical  evidence  of  their  faith  in  ortho- 
dox doctrines.  They  believe  that  nothing  can  be 
done  for  their  conversion,  without  the  special  influ- 
ences of  the  holy  spirit ;  and  accordingly  make  them- 
selves comparatively  easy  in  delaying  all  attention  to 
the  subject  until  another  revival.  So  that  month  after 
month,  and  even  year  after  year,  few  or  no  additions  are 
made  to  the  communion.  The  more  thoughtless  and 
unprincipled  indulge  to  greater  excess.  So  that  the 
house  of  God  is  deserted  ;  the  sabbath  is  spent  in  idle- 
ness, improper  reading,  unnecessary  visiting  or  criminal 
dissipation  ;  profaneness,  falsehood,  ignorance  and  open 
wickedness  greatly  abound.     Some  who  have  been  sub- 


36 

jects  of  the  excitement,  seem  to  be  rendered  tenfold 
more  depraved  by  the  scenes  through  which  they  have 
passed  ;  and  take  the  lead  in  the  march  of  immorality 
and  infidelity.  All  this  and  much  more  may  be  proved 
true  from  the  declarations  of  your  own  ministers. 

And  is  all  this  christian  fruit?  Is  this  the  natural  con- 
sequence of  a  revival  of  pure  religion  in  our  land  of 
christian  institutions.  By  no  means.  Are  we  not  at  all 
times  equally  dependent  on  our  heavenly  Father  ?  And 
can  we  be  released,  even  for  a  moment,  from  our  obli- 
gations to  gratitude,  obedience,  submission,  resignation, 
confidence  and  devotion  ?  Are  we  not  wholly  indebted 
to  Jesus  for  those  personal,  domestic,  social,  civil,  lite- 
rary and  religious  blessings,  which  raise  us  so  highly 
above  every  ancient  or  modern  unchristian  nation  ?  And 
can  we  be  excused  from  our  obligations  to  receive  him 
as  our  Master,  imitate  him  as  our  Exemplar,  obey  him 
as  our  Judge  or  Ruler  ?  Are  not  all  men  our  neigh- 
bors ?  And  can  we  innocently  neglect  to  do  unto  them 
in  our  thoughts,  feelings,  conversation  and  conduct,  as 
we  would  have  them  do  unto  us?  Are  not  our  charac- 
ters either  improving  or  retrograding  ?  And  are  we 
at  liberty  to  relinquish  our  unceasing  self-discipline,  self- 
examination  and  self-cultivation  ?  Are  we  not  bound 
ever  to  think  right,  to  feel  right,  speak  right,  and  act 
right  ?  Have  we  any  license  to  indulge  in  wrong 
thoughts,  failings,  affections,  dispositions,  conversation 
or  behaviour  ?  Is  any  permission  granted  us  for  dulness 
and  deadness  in  religion?  Will  it  be  a  sufficient  ex- 
cuse for  these  evils,  to  say  that  the  influences  of  the  ho- 
ly spirit  were  withdrawn  ;  that  we  could  not  do  other- 
wise under  the  frown  of  the  Almighty  ?  I  do  beseech 
you  to  put  no  such  sophistical  and  dangerous  argu- 
ments into  the  hands  of  the  abandoned.  Do  not  thus 
aid  the  cause  of  irreligion  and  immorality. 

9.  In  the  ninth  place,  your  revivals  encourage  false 
views  of  religion.  I  have  now  to  notice  but  a  few  particu- 
lars.   First,  you  give  false  notions  of  the  nature  of  relig- 


37 

ion  itself,  by  constantly  talking  about  getting  religion. 
The  ignorant  suppose,  that  this  thing  to  be  gotten,  is 
something  extrinsic,  and  can  be  purchased  by  a  con- 
stant round  of  religious  services.  Now  Jesus  took  spe- 
cial pains  to  guard  against  this  error.  Whether  we  eat 
or  drink,  or  whatsoever  we  do,  we  must  do  all  to  the 
glory  of  God.  We  must  fulfil  all  our  obligations.  We 
must  do  right  at  all  times,  and  in  all  things,  and  under 
all  circumstances.  And  we  are  more  religious  when 
performing  known  duties  than  when  neglecting  them 
for  any  services  of  human  invention.  Second,  you  in- 
culcate false  views  of  conversion.  You  make  the  un- 
learned expect  that  the  spirit  will  accomplish  the  whole 
work  in  one  moment ;  and  that  after  feeling  its  opera- 
tion on  their  soul,  they  can  never  fall  from  duty. 
Thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  have  been  ruined  by 
this  false  and  unscriptural  notion.  We  are  commanded 
to  be  renewed  in  the  temper  of  our  minds  day  by  day; 
and  to  be  constantly  turning  from  every  thing  wrong  to 
the  practice  of  every  thing  right.  Third,  you  encour- 
age erroneous  views  of  the  divine  agency.  You  speak 
of  Deity  as  coming  among  you.  You  ask  him  to  pour 
out  his  spirit  in  a  special  manner.  You  talk  of  his  leav- 
ing the  place.  All  such  heathenish  notions  sink  into 
uneducated  minds  ;  and  they  really  regard  the  Deity 
but  little  better  than  a  fickle  monarch.  One  who  had 
been  converted  in  your  way,  lately  called  upon  his  for- 
mer pastor  for  a  dismission  and  recommendation.  He 
said  it  was  perfectly  plain  that  Jesus  was  the  Al- 
mighty God,  for  he  even  raised  Lazarus  from  the  dead. 
He  was  reminded  of  the  prayer  which  Jesus  uttered  on 
that  memorable  occasion  for  divine  assistance.  His 
answer  was,  I  presume  God  is  a  praying  Being ! ! 
Finally,  you  indirectly  countenance  unchristian  beha- 
vior ;  for  your  converts  are  encouraged  to  denounce 
Unitarianism  with  boldness.  Much  of  their  zeal  is  mani- 
fested in  this  warfare.  Instead  of  self-examination,  se- 
rious meditation,  reformation  of  allimproper  dispositions, 
4 


38 

diligent  study  of  the  scriptures,  much  time  is  given  to 
relating  experiences,  censuring  other  christians  older, 
and  more  enlightened,  and  more  holy  than  themselves. 
In  short,  the  characters  formed  under  revival  influen- 
ces are  poor  specimens  generally  of  the  influence  of  the 
genuine  gospel.  They  do  not  resemhle  those  individu- 
als, in  whose  minds  the  seeds  of  heavenly  wisdom  were 
early  sown,  and  who  have  cultivated  those  graces  and 
virtues  which  adorn  humanity,  and  which  shone  so  con- 
spicuously in  the  uniform  deportment  of  our  Saviour. 

10.  Such,  Sir,  are  some  of  the  common  fruits 
of  orthodox  revivals.  Many  more,  equally  unchris- 
tian, might  be  mentioned,  did  my  limits  permit.  1 
cannot  help  alluding  to  one  or  two  more  instances  of  a 
more  aggravated  nature.  Look  at  the  barbarous  out- 
rage lately  committed  by  an  orthodox  family  in  Bos- 
ton, on  the  person  of  a  female  relative  from  the  coun- 
try, in  order  to  convert  her  from  Unitarianism.  You 
will  find  the  disgraceful  particulars  in  the  Christian 
Register  for  the  thirtieth  of  April.  Look  also  at  the 
evil  effects  of  your  excitements  on  female  character. 
It  is  nothing  uncommon  to  see  those  who  were  consid- 
ered persons  of  modesty  and  delicacy,  engaged  in  this 
holy  warfare  against  Unitarians,  denouncing  them  in  the 
most  shameful  language,  and  persecuting  them  in  the 
most  cruel  manner.  It  is  matter  of  almost  daily  oc- 
currence in  this  place,  for  girls  to  be  told  that  they  must 
go  to  hell  if  they  attend  a  Unitarian  meeting  ;  and  this 
too  by  those  who  profess  to  be  followers  of  the  meek 
and  humble  Jesus.  Besides  these  things,  there  are 
usually  proceedings  in  almost  every  revival,  too  indeli- 
cate, too  indecent  to  be  mentioned. 

You  will  now  aver,  that  I  have  not  mentioned  the 
good  results  of  your  religious  excitements.  I  cheerful- 
ly grant  what  you  require.  I  admit  that  some  luke- 
warm professors  are  aroused  to  greater  fidelity  ;  that 
some  good  christians  are  induced  to  come  forward  to  the 
ordinances  ;  that  many  careless  and  thoughtless  sinners 


39 

are  awakened  to  seriousness,  and  that  a  few  persons  of 
immoral  characters  are  reformed.  This  is  all  that  you 
can  justly  claim.  But  it  is  fair  to  notice  the  limitation 
even  of  this  statement.  For  you  will  allow  that  some 
who  join  the  church  at  such  seasons  are  really  no  bet- 
ter than  before  their  admission  ;  and  that  some  who  be- 
come professors  are  actually  injured  by  their  experien- 
ces. For  all  instances  of  genuine  conversion  and 
reformation,  I  gladly  give  thanks. 

But  this  is  not  the  whole  of  the  story.  I  contend 
that  all  this  good  could  have  been  effected  without  the 
attendant  evils.  The  same  persons  could  have  been 
made  christians  in  a  more  scriptural  manner.  Look  to 
the  churches  of  our  fathers;  were  they  not  better  filled 
than  yours  ;  were  not  their  professors  more  godly  ; 
and  were  they  not  rendered  so  without  the  influ- 
ence of  a  revival  ?  Look  to  Scotland.  Is  not  the 
number  of  communicants  greater  there  than  in  your  so- 
cieties ;  and  do  they  not  give  equal  or  better  evidence 
of  conversion  ;  and  not  one  soul  of  them  was  born 
again  in  the  time  of  a  revival.  Could  you  not,  then,  by 
the  proper  and  faithful  use  of  scripture  means,  have 
made  as  many  and  as  good  christians,  without  produc- 
ing such  an  abundant  share  of  evil.  I  ask  the  public 
to  decide  if  the  disadvantages  of  your  excitements  do 
not  far  outweigh  their  advantages  ?  1  call  upon  you  to 
examine  this  question  ;  for  I  fear  you  are  rushing  head- 
long to  temporal  destruction.  I  fear  you  are  giving  a 
most  dangerous  wound  to  the  cause  of  our  common 
Christianity.  Before  it  be  too  late,  O  return  to  the  Bi- 
ble. Make  that  the  standard  of  your  faith  and  practice. 
Adopt  the  means  there  prescribed  for  the  conversion  of 
sinners ;  and  make  some  amends  for  the  aggravated 
evils  you  have  inflicted. 

IV.  You  assert  that  orthodox  revivals  are  the  spe- 
cial work  of  the  holy  spirit.  I  think  a  plain  statement 
of  facts  will  prove  your  assertion  untrue  ;  and  also  con- 
vince you,  that  these  excitements  are  the  natural  fruit 
of  human  exertions. 


40 

1.  In  the  first  place,  you  know  these  revivals  are  never 
produced  by  the  divinely  appointed  means  of  grace. 
They  never  follow  the  regular  exercises  of  the  sabbath  ; 
the  solemn  observance  of  gospel  ordinances  ;  the  usual 
visits  of  the  pastor;  the  devout  study  of  the  scrip- 
tures; the  acts  of  secret  and  social  devotion,  and  se- 
rious meditation  and  self  examination.  No.  All  your 
apparatus  must  be  of  an  unusual  character,  and  of  hu- 
man origin  and  contrivance.  Meetings  of  various 
kinds  must  be  multiplied.  An  unnatural  style  of 
preaching,  praying  and  conversation  must  be  adopted. 
New  arts  and  modes  of  operation  must  be  employed. 
Now  you  well  know  that  God  has  nowhere  promised 
to  bless  these  measures ;  and  you  also  well  know,  that 
he  has  promised  to  bless  the  means  of  his  own  ap- 
pointment. Can  you  then  believe,  that  he  never 
blesses,  with  the  special  outpouring  of  his  holy  spirit, 
the  means  of  his  own  appointment ;  and  that  he  always 
blesses,  with  the  special  outpouring  of  his  holy  spirit, 
the  means  of  human  invention  and  addition  ?  No. 
Then  you  must  admit  that  these  revivals  are  not  the 
special  work  of  the  holy  spirit ;  but  the  natural  pro- 
duct of  human  machinery. 

2.  In  the  second  place,  you  know  these  revivals  are 
produced  by  the  measures  of  different  and  even  op- 
posing denominations.  They  originated  with  the  foun- 
ders of  Methodism.  They  are  now  got  up  by  Calvin- 
istsr  Arminians  and  Unitarians.  The  Unitarian  Chris- 
tians succeed  in  producing  them,  the  oftenest,  and 
the  most  extensively ;  the  liberal  Baptists  and  the 
Arminian  Methodists  rank  next  in  point  of  frequency 
and  extent,  and  the  Calvinists  fall  far  behind  both  the 
other  sects  in  these  respects.  You  also  know  that  the 
peculiar  religious  opinions  of  each  denomination  are 
directly  opposed  to  the  peculiarities  of  both  the  others. 
Calvinism  is  decidedly  opposed  to  Unitarianism  and 
Arminianism  ;  and  Unitarianism  is  opposed  to  Armin- 
ianism  and  Calvinism.     Now  if  the  excitement  in  one 


41 

party  is  the  special  work  of  the  holy  spirit,  it  must  be 
in  all ;  for  the  same  features  and  characteristics  are 
exhibited  in  all.  Can  you  then  believe  that  a  God  of 
truth  sanctions  error  as  much,  and  in  the  same  man- 
ner, as  he  sanctions  truth ;  which  must  be  the  case  if 
these  revivals  are  his  special  work ;  for  Unitarianism 
and  Calvinism  cannot  both  be  truth  ?  Can  you  believe 
that  he  blesses  Unitarianism  with  a  greater  outpouring 
of  his  holy  spirit,  than  he  does  Calvinism  ;  which  must 
be  the  case  if  these  excitements  are  his  special  work ; 
for  they  are  produced  oftenest  and  most  extensively 
under  Unitarian  preaching?  If  you  cannot,  then  you 
must  acknowledge  that  these  revivals  are  not  the  spe- 
cial work  of  the  holy  spirit,  but  the  natural  fruit  of  hu- 
man agency. 

3.  In  the  third  place,  you  know  these  revivals  are 
confined  to  those  who  believe  in  their  divine  origin. 
You  sometimes  find  a  society  of  Episcopalians  and  a 
society  of  Calvinists  in  the  same  village.  Members  of 
the  same  family  belong  to  each ;  and  near  neighbors 
attend  the  different  churches.  The  doctrinal  opinions 
of  both  parties  may  be  expressed  in  the  thirty  nine  ar- 
ticles. The  Calvinists  believe  in  the  divine  origin  of 
these  excitements ;  they  adopt  the  necessary  measures 
for  their  production ;  nearly  all  their  members  become 
more  or  less  excited.  In  the  mean  time,  the  Episco- 
palians regard  their  exertions  as  unscriptural  and  fa- 
natical ;  they  regard  the  revival  as  of  human  origin  and. 
pernicious  tendency ;  while  their  friends-  and  neigh- 
bors are  deeply  interested  in  the  work,  they  remain 
calm  and  unaffected,  and  scarcely  an  individual  has 
his  feelings  and  passions  aroused.  Such  instances  are 
of  frequent  occurrence.  Take  Lowell  for  an  exam- 
ple. You  recollect  the  account  which  Mr  Beckwith, 
the  Calvinistic  minister,  gave  of  the  powerful  revival 
in  that  place,  and  for  which  document  he  obtained  a 
ten  dollar  premium.  You  remember  that  he  regarded 
the  Episcopalians  as  enemies  to  the  good  work,  and 
4* 


42 

that  a  member  of  that  society  exposed  several  errors 
in  this  premium  statement.  Now  why  is  the  excite- 
ment confined  to  those  who  believe  in  its  divine  origin  ? 
Why  does  it  not  extend  to  those  who  consider  it  the 
work  of  human  beings  and  openly  oppose  its  progress, 
and  thus  convince  them  of  their  dangerous  mistake  and 
aggravated  wickedness?  Can  the  mere  belief  on  this 
point  prevent  the  outpouring  of  the  spirit  ?  You  must 
either  admit  that  it  can,  which  amounts  to  a  perfect  ab- 
surdity ;  or  you  must  allow  that  these  revivals  are  not 
the  special  work  of  the  holy  spirit,  but  the  mere  results 
of  human  opinion  and  action. 

4.  In  the  fourth  place,  you  know  these  revivals  are 
deliberately  voted  into  being  by  orthodox  ministers.  I 
will  illustrate  this  remark  by  a  reference  to  the  actual 
proceedings  of  your  denomination.  Your  leaders  saw 
and  loudly  lamented  the  rapid  and  extensive  spread  of 
Unitarianism.  They  concluded  that  its  progress  could 
be  checked  in  no  way  so  effectually  as  by  a  general  re- 
ligious excitement.  One  or  two  associations  resolved 
to  use  the  necessary  means  for  its  production.  A  large 
body  of  your  clergy  met  in  Boston  at  Election,  and  de- 
termined to  do  all  in  their  power  to  secure  the  influence 
of  the  women,  to  cease  controversy  with  Unitarians,  and 
to  make  every  possible  exertion  for  the  existence  of  a 
powerful  revival.  The  same  thing  has  been  virtually 
done  in  several  other  meetings  of  the  leaders  in  other 
States.  Letters  have  been  passed  in  relation  to  this 
desirable  object.  The  conclusion  of  the  whole  matter 
seemed  to  be,  that  the  work  should  be  commenced  in 
the  cities,  and  then  extended  into  the  country.  The 
revival  preachers  were  accordingly  stationed  at  their 
respective  posts.  It  became  convenient  to  have  the 
notorious  Beman  in  Charleston,  S.  C.  When  the 
train  was  well  laid,  the  match  was  applied.  The  pray- 
er bell  rung  at  dawn  of  morning,  from  Maine  to  Geor- 
gia. All  the  revival  machinery  before  used,  and  even 
some    new    inventions,    were    put  into  full  operation. 


43 

And  in  many  places  some  success  has  attended  this 
mighty  and  combined  effort.  All  this,  and  very  much 
more  of  the  same  character,  you  know  is  literal  truth. 
Now  look  at  some  of  the  votes  of  your  ministers  which 
have  been  brought  to  light.  They  resolved  that  it  was 
their  duty  to  have  a  revival  of  religion  in  their  respect- 
ive parishes,  and  that  they  would  use  greater  means 
for  its  production.  Now,  if  it  was  their  duty  to  have  a 
revival,  was  not  the  work  their  own  ?  Can  you  believe 
that  human  beings  are  any  where  commanded  to  pour 
out  the  holy  spirit?  No.  Then  you  must  admit,  that 
these  revivals  are  not  the  special  work  of  the  spirit,  but 
the  natural  result  of  increased  human  labor  and  manage- 
ment. 

5.  In  the  fifth  place,  you  know  these  revivals  are  got 
up  according  to  certain  prescribed  rules.  Dr  Beech- 
er  preached  a  discourse  on  this  subject  in  Beverly 
some  time  since,  an  abstract  of  which  I  have  received. 
He  stated  explicitly  that  these  excitements  could  be 
produced  at  any  time,  and  even  kept  in  continual  ope- 
ration. He  compared  the  influence  of  the  spirit,  to  the 
law  of  gravitation  ;  and  affirmed  that  nothing  was  want- 
ing but  human  co-operation  to  secure  constant  conver- 
sions. He  then  described  very  minutely  the  various 
measures  to  be  adopted,  and  the  different  parts  each 
class  were  to  act  in  the  drama.  Not  only  so ;  others 
have  published  books  for  this  purpose,  and  instructed 
the  leaders  what  must  be  said  and  done,  to  secure  suc- 
cess. Nowlf  these  prescribed  regulations  will  produce 
the  desired  revival,  is  it  not  the  product  of  human  ma- 
chinery ?  Has  God  any  where  or  in  any  manner  au- 
thorized such  publications,  or  promised  to  bestow  his 
blessing  on  such  human  measures  ?  Look  at  the  polit- 
ical leaders  in  our  country.  Are  they  not  laying  plans 
and  adopting  means  to  secure  the  election  of  a  certain 
President  ?  Should  their  efforts  be  crowned  with  suc- 
cess, would  they  be  justified  in  calling  the  result  of 
their  operations,  the  special  work  of  the  holy  spirit  ? 


44 

Do  not  all  parts  of  the  apparatus  for  the  production  of 
a  religious  excitement  depend  equally  on  human  agen- 
cy and  management?  Can  you  then  believe  that  the 
former  is  the  work  of  man,  and  the  latter  the  work  of 
God  ?  No.  Then  you  must  admit  that  these  revivals 
are  not  the  special  work  of  the  holy  spirit,  but  the  nat- 
ural product  of  well  contrived  human  machinery. 

6.  In  the  sixth  place,  you  know  these  revivals  are 
produced  or  checked  by  the  efforts  of  the  human  will. 
Let  me  illustrate  this  remark  by  three  well  known  facts. 
The  first  is  this.  When  you  have  organized  a  feeble 
church  in  a  Unitarian  parish,  you  immediately  com- 
mence operations  for  the  production  of  a  religious  ex- 
citement. You  seem  to  think  that  some  thoughtless 
individuals  may  be  drawn  in  by  your  new  and  extraor- 
dinary measures.  The  pastor  of  the  society  devotes 
his  principal  attention  to  the  accomplishment  of  this 
object.  The  one  you  have  stationed  in  Billerica  late- 
ly informed  his  church  that  he  must  leave  them  unless 
they  could  get  up  a  revival.  He  called  upon  all  to  rise 
who  would  aid  him  in  this  desirable  work ;  and  then 
instructed  them  when,  and  how  often,  and  how  long  to 
pray.  Can  you  believe  the  Deity  may  be  thus  induc- 
ed to  aid  in  accomplishing  a  party  and  sectarian  effort  ? 
Does  he  take  sides  with  the  Unitarian  Christians  when 
they  meet  with  so  much  success  in  drawing  from  Cal- 
vinistic  societies  ? 

The  second  fact  is  this.  Whenyouare  getting  up 
an  excitement  in  any  place,  you  warn  your  hearers 
to  avoid  society  ;  all  places  of  innocent  amusement ; 
all  meetings  for  literary  instruction  and  improve- 
ment. In  Northampton,  an  objection  was  made 
to  the  public  celebration  of  Independence,  for  fear  it 
might  terminate  the  delusion.  And  even  in  Boston 
very  lately,  one  of  your  preachers  exhorted  his  hear- 
ers to  retire  home  in  silence,  to  avoid  all  conversa- 
tion with  each  other,  and  to  fasten  their  attention  upon 
the  solemn  truths  delivered.  Can  you  believe  the  op- 
eration of  the  holy  spirit  is  prevented  by  such  slight 


45 

and  innocent  causes  ?  And  finally,  these  revivals  may 
be  checked  and  suspended  by  an  appeal  to  reason  and 
common  sense.  I  have  known  two  instances  in  which 
they  were  terminated  very  suddenly  by  such  an  appeal. 
The  Unitarian  minister  in  each  case  plainly  stated  views 
similar  to  those  I  have  here  advanced,  and  the  delusion 
was  dissipated.  Now  can  you  believe  that  the  Deity 
is  thus  at  the  disposal  of  his  sinful  children  ?  Can 
you  believe  that  his  special  presence  can  be  secu- 
red at  any  time  in  aid  of  a  party  undertaking,  or 
driven  away  at  any  time  by  a  free  expression  of  honest 
opinion  ?  If  you  cannot,  then  you  will  acknowledge 
that  these  revivals  are  not  the  special  work  of  the  holy 
spirit,  but  the  fruit  of  party  and  sectarian  measures. 

7.  In  the  seventh  place,  you  know  there  is  a  great 
difference  of  opinion  on  these  revivals  among  your 
leaders.  This  has  been  fully  manifested,  and  even 
published  to  the  world.  The  circumstances  are  briefly 
these.  About  three  years  ago,  a  mighty  effort  was 
made  to  get  up  an  extensive  revival.  In  the  state  of 
New  York,  the  most  unprincipled  measures  were  adopt- 
ed, and  the  most  disgraceful  scenes  were  transacted. 
The  leaders  of  this  work  were  Messrs  Beman  and 
Finney.  Dr  Beecher  and  his  coadjutors  in  New 
England  had  already  succeeded  in  producing  some 
considerable  excitement.  They  feared  an  explosion 
would  take  place,  should  the  proceedings  of  the  New 
York  revivalists  be  known  in  this  vicinity.  They  accord- 
ingly wrote  Dr  Beman  a  long  letter  on  the  subject,  and 
urged  him  to  desist  from  such  dangerous  practices. 
This  gave  offence ;  and  eventually  led  to  the  famous 
New  Lebanon  convention,  to  which  twenty-four  of  the 
leaders  were  invited  by  Messrs.  Beecher  and  Beman. 
The  object  of  the  meeting  was  '  to  see  in  what  respects 
there  is  an  agreement,  between  brethren  from  different 
sections  of  the  country,  in  regard  to  principles  and 
measures  '  in  conducting  and  promoting  revivals  of  re- 
ligion,1    Resolutions  were   offered  on   each  side,  de- 


46 

signed  to  condemn  the  conduct  of  the  other.  Take 
the  following  one  of  Dr  Beecher  and  his  friends. 
1  There  may  be  so  much  human  infirmity,  and  indis- 
cretion, and  wickedness  of  man,  in  conducting  a  re- 
vival of  religion,  as  to  render  the  general  evils  which 
flow  from  this  infirmity,  indiscretion,  and  wickedness 
of  man  greater  than  the  local  and  temporary  advan- 
tages of  the  revival.'  This  is  precisely  my  opinion. 
This  was  designed  to  teach  Beman  that  his  revival  was 
of  this  description.  Take  Beman's  answer.  '  At- 
tempts to  remedy  evils  which  exist  in  revivals  of  re- 
ligion, may,  through  the  infirmity,  and  indiscretion, 
and  wickednesss  of  man,  do  more  injury  and  ruin 
more  souls,  than  those  evils  which  such  attempts  are 
intended  to  correct.'  This  was  designed  as  a  hint 
for  Dr  Beecher  to  attend  to  his  own  business.  I  have 
not  room  for  further  extracts.  The  records  of  the 
convention  are  before  the  world,  and  exhibit  a  most 
remarkable  specimen  of  wrangling,  bitterness,  hatred 
and  impiety.  After  spending  some  eight  or  ten  days 
in  quarrelling,  singing  and  praying,  their  meeting  was 
dissolved.  Their  proceedings  will  remain  to  posterity, 
a  disgrace  to  the  individuals  concerned  ;  a  lasting  re- 
proach to  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  an  unanswerable 
argument  against  the  divine  origin  of  revivals.  For 
what  did  these  learned  divines  assemble?  Did  they 
wish  to  prescribe  rules  for  the  regulation  of  the  holy 
spirit?.  So  it  must  seem,  if  these  revivals  are  the 
work  of  the  holy  spirit.  For  they  wished  to  come  to 
some  agreement  on  the  '  principles  and  measures 
in  conducting  and  promoting  revivals.'  This  very- 
convention  demonstrates  that  these  leaders  considered 
such  excitements  to  be  under  their  own  control.  Can 
you  believe  they  were  authorized  to  adopt  measures 
for  the  better  regulation  of  the  holy  spirit?  No. 
Then  you  will  allow  that  these  revivals  are  not  the  spe- 
cial work  of  God,  but  the  natural  result  of  human 
wickedness  and  management. 


47 

8.  In  the  eighth  place,  you  know  the  effects  of  these 
revivals  are  not  what  the  apostle  describes  as  the  fruits 
of  the  spirit.  He  assures  us  that  love,  joy,  peace,  long- 
suffering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness  and 
temperance  are  the  fruits  of  the  spirit.  You  must  ad- 
mit that  a  great  share  of  hatred,  sorrow,  dissension, 
reviling,  unkindness,  wickedness,  unbelief,  passion  and 
intemperate  language  and  conduct  has  been  the  unfail- 
ing attendant  of  orthodox  excitements.  Look  at  those 
which  raged  so  extensively  in  New  York  three  years 
ago.  The  orthodox  ministers  in  that  state  ragard  them 
as  most  wonderful  displays  of  divine  power.  But  how 
did  Dr  Beecher  and  his  friends  consider  them  ?  Dr 
Nettleton,  the  greatest  revival  preacher  of  the  New 
England  party,  makes  these  remarks  concerning  them. 
'  A  number  of  churches  have  experienced  a  revival  of 
anger,  wrath,  malice,  envy,  and  evil  speaking,  without 
the  knowledge  of  a  single  conversion.'  Speaking  of 
preachers  of  that  region,  he  uses  this  language. 
'They  do  cultivate,  and  awake  in  others,  what  very 
much  resembles  the  passion  of  anger,  wrath,  malice, 
envy,  and  evil  speaking.'  And  what  are  the  words  of 
Dr  Beecher  in  relation  to  the  same  excitement  ?  It  is 
this.  '  It  is  a  spirit  of  fanaticism,  of  spiritual  pride, 
censoriousness,  and  insubordination  to  the  order  of  the 
gospel.'  Now  if  Dr  Beecher  could  see  such  evils  in 
the  New  York  orthodox  revivals,  is  it  strange  that  we 
see  greater  evils  in  the  New  England  revivals  ;  we,  who 
do  not  regard  them  as  the  special  work  of  the  holy  spir- 
it ?  And  above  all,  look  at  what  is  doing  at  the  present 
moment.  The  same  scenes  are  acting  over  again  in 
New  York  ;  yes,  the  same  most  disgraceful  scenes.  And 
still  you  are  reading  from  your  pulpits  letters  and  state- 
ments from  those  very  actors  in  order  to  get  up  a  revi- 
val in  Boston  and  the  vicinity.  Not  only  so.  You  are 
introducing  many  of  their  very  measures  which  you  so 
severely  censured  three  years  ago.  You  are  having 
your  anxious  seats,  and  anxious  meetings,  and  four  day 


48 

meetings,  and  a  long  list  of  other  equally  tinscriptural 
and  unwarrantable  measures.  You  will  not  then  call  me 
uncharitable,  if  I  apply  the  same  language  to  the  fruits 
of  your  over  zealous  labors,  that  Dr  Beecher  and  his 
friends  applied  to  the  results  of  Beman's  and  Finney's 
exertions.  I  say  you  are  promoting,  '  a  revival  of  an- 
ger, wrath,  malice,  envy,  and  evil  speaking  ; '  and  sure- 
ly these  are  not  the  fruits  of  the  spirit.  So  that  you 
must  admit  that  these  revivals  are  not  the  special  work 
of  the  holy  spirit,  but  the  natural  product  of  your  new 
and  unscriptural  means. 

9.  In  the  ninth  place,  these  revivals  are  precisely 
what  you  would  expect  from  the  measures  adopted. 
There  is  no  occasion  to  resort  to  special  divine  agency 
for  an  explanation  of  a  single  circumstance  ;  for  every 
particular  of  the  excitement  can  be  satisfactorily  explain- 
ed on  perfectly  natural  principles.  Take  a  few  examples. 
In  every  revival  you  know  that  many,  who  are  as  thor- 
oughly excited  as  any  of  the  converts  ;  who  feel  as  deep 
convictions  of  sin  as  any  ;  who  are  brought  out  as  clear- 
ly as  any  ;  who  relate  as  wonderful  experiences  as  any  ; 
who  give  as  satisfactory  evidence  of  conversion  as  any, 
soon  fall  away  and  call  the  whole  business  a  delusion. 
Now  what  produced  such  effects  on  these  persons? 
The  special  operation  of  the  holy  spirit  ?  No.  You 
cannot  admit  this  ;  for  you  hold  that  all  on  whose  heart 
the  spirit  has  exerted  a  special  influence  will  never 
fall  from  grace.  Then  you  must  allow  that  the  means 
used  to  promote  the  revival  produced  all  these  striking 
results.  Very  well.  If  the  means  used  have  produced 
these  clear  marks  of  conversion  in  so  many  cases,  why 
not  in  all  the  instances  ?  Perhaps  you  will  say  that  the 
others  persevere  in  the  ways  of  well  doing.  And  do 
not  thousands  in  every  denomination  exhibit  equal  or 
greater  fruits  of  christian  holiness  who  never  experi- 
enced any  such  excitement,  and  who  reject  the  ortho- 
dox doctrines.  You  must  acknowledge  that  all  the 
characteristics  of  the  revivals  are  produced  by  the  means 


49 

used;  by  an  appeal  to  the  fears  and  hopes  and  sympa- 
thies of  the  converts ;  by  combined  exertions,  and  pe- 
culiar circumstances,  and  religious  considerations.  So 
that  there  is  nothing  special  or  supernatural  in  the  whole 
process. 

Take  another  illustration.  You  know  it  frequently 
happens  that  those,  who  have  been  converted  at  one 
revival,  and  who  have  been  exemplary  christians  for 
several  years,  are  again  converted  in  another  excite- 
ment. Not  a  few  orthodox  ministers  and  deacons  are 
to  be  ranked  in  this  class.  They  declare  that  their 
former  experiences  were  all  a  delusion ;  and  that 
they  now  feel  assured  that  the  special  influences  of 
the  spirit  have  been  exerted  on  their  hearts.  Now, 
if  the  first  conversion  was  merely  the  effect  of  the 
means  used,  why  is  not  the  second  or  third  ?  Were 
not  their  experiences  equally  striking  and  convincing 
the  first  time  as  the  last  ?  Does  their  conduct  furnish 
any  better  evidence  in  the  last  case  than  in  the 
first  ?  No.  The  whole  mystery  is  solved  in  one  word. 
Their  peculiar  thoughts  and  feelings  were  the  natural 
consequence  of  the  influences  to  which  they  were  ex- 
posed. They  supposed  them  to  be  the  production  of 
the  holy  spirit ;  and  this  mistake  led  to  the  reconver- 
sion. And  you  may  cause  persons  of  exciteable  tem- 
perament, who  hold  to  this  belief,  to  pass  through  a 
new  regeneration  as  often  as  you  can  get  up  a  general 
excitement,  even  if  it  should  happen  every  month. 
You  see  then,  that  our  experiences  furnish  no  rational 
or  scriptural  evidence  of  the  special  operation  of  the 
holy  spirit ;  but  their  frequent  recurrence  when  exposed 
to  similar  influences  furnishes  positive  proof  to  the  con- 
trary. 

But  this  is  not  all.  Many,  who  are  now  members  of 
Unitarian  churches,  and  preachers  in  the  Unitarian  de- 
nomination, were  converted  in  your  revivals.  They 
gave  as  certain  evidence  of  their  regeneration  as  any  of 
those  who  still  adhere  to  Calvinism.  They  were  ad- 
5 


50 

mitted  to  your  communions,  and  for  years  maintained 
an  irreproachable  standing.  They  searched  the  scrip- 
tures seriously  and  patiently.  They  could  find 
none  of  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  orthodoxy  ;  but  were 
compelled  by  the  most  convincing  scriptural  evidence 
to  embrace  Unitarianism.  They  openly  confessed  the 
result  of  their  honest  convictions,  and  cheerfully  submit- 
ted to  your  manifold  persecutions  for  the  cause  of  truth 
and  righteousness.  You  could  see  no  diminution  in 
their  piety  or  holiness.  They  once  believed  in  the  di- 
vine origin  of  your  excitements.  They  can  now 
account  satisfactorily  for  every  effect  produced,  on 
natural  causes.  They  now  believe  them  to  be 
the  result  of  well  contrived  human  machinery. 
They  have  the  evidence  of  reason,  experience, 
observation,  and  scripture  on  their  side.  Now  how 
will  you  explain  this  fact  in  consistency  with  your  views 
of  the  special  operation  of  the  spirit  ?  Will  you  say 
that  these  distinguished  individuals  were  not  really  con- 
verted ?  This  you  will  hardly  dare  to  affirm,  for  you 
know  they  related  as  good  experiences  as  any  of  your 
converts;  you  know  they  exhibited  as  genuine  fruits  of 
repentance  as  any  who  were  received  to  your  churches  ; 
you  know  their  characters,  the  only  scriptural  evidence 
of  regeneration,  are  as  good  now  as  when  they  believed 
your  doctrinal  opinions,  and  as  good,  to  say  the  least,  as 
any  who  remain  in  your  communion.  Will  you  say 
they  were  truly  converted,  and  are  still  worthy  chris- 
tians, notwithstanding  their  Unitarian  sentiments  ?  This 
you  will  scarcely  dare  to  admit ;  for  you  hope  to  gain 
some  advantage  to  your  party  by  denying  Unitarians  the 
christian  name,  although  in  this  particular  you  will  even- 
tually find  yourse'f  greatly  mistaken.  Will  you  say  they 
have  fallen  from  grace.  This  you  dare  not  acknow- 
ledge ;  for  it  is  contrary  to  your  creed  ;  and  you  well 
know  that  many  more  of  your  converts  would  fall  from 
grace  in  this  same  manner,  were  they  exposed  to  Uni- 
tarian influences  and  permitted  to  reach  the  scriptures 
unshackled.     Hence  your  great  anxiety  to  keep  hope- 


51 

fully  pious  students  from  Harvard  University;  and 
hence  your  exertions  to  prevent  your  professors  from 
associating  with  Unitarian  companions,  and  hence  your 
human  creeds  and  enslaving  oaths  and  obligations. 
Well,  you  may  take  which  alternative  you  please.  In 
either  case,  you  will  be  obliged  to  acknowledge  the 
human  origin  of  your  revivals.  For  the  experien- 
ces of  this  most  respectable  class  of  the  community 
are  not  to  be  answered  with  a  sneer,  or  an  asser- 
tion. There  is  nothing  therefore  in  your  religious 
excitements  but  what  can  be  satisfactorily  and  per- 
fectly explained  on  natural  principles  ;  and  the  evidence 
against  their  divine  origin  is  conclusive  and  unanswera- 
ble. I  have  said  that  these  revivals  are  precisely  what 
you  would  expect  from  the  means  used.  I  must  quali- 
fy this  expression  a  little.  Nothing  surprises  me  more, 
than  that  so  little  effect  is  produced  and  so  little  dis- 
turbance created  by  such  bold,  daring,  unscripturai 
measures.  I  want  no  stronger  argument  than  this 
against  total  depravity,  and  in  favor  of  the  purity  and 
dignity  of  human  nature.  If  the  ignorant  and  uneduca- 
ted can  withstand  this  unhallowed  ordeal,  it  is  satisfacto- 
ry proof  to  my  mind,  that  there  is  something  within  them 
of  a  high,  noble,  divine  origin. 

10.  In  the  tenth  place,  your  revivals  are  promoted 
as  the  last  expedient  for  maintaining  the  sinking  cause 
of  orthodoxy.  Believing  your  views  of  religion  to  be 
true  and  important,  you  are  doubtless  anxious  to  have 
them  preserved  and  perpetuated.  Three  methods 
have  been  adopted  for  securing  a  reception  of  your 
theological  sentiments.  The  first  is  education.  This 
has  proved  a  very  efficient  and  successful  method  in 
former  years ;  but  its  efficacy  is  greatly  diminished  at 
the  present  period.  For  when  your  children  arrive  at 
a  proper  age,  they  go  into  society  ;  they  exercise  their 
common  sense  ;  they  associate  with  liberal  companions  ; 
they  apply  their  reason  to  the  study  of  the  scriptures, 
and  perhaps  they  read  unitarian  publications.  In  this 
way.,  they  triumph  over  the   misty,  unintelligible,  and 


52 

mysterious  doctrines  of  Calvinism,  and  embrace  ration- 
al and  scriptural  views  of  religion.  How  many  parents 
could  I  name,  whose  children  are  decidedly  liberal. 

To  this  important  means  of  perpetuating  your  peculiar 
notions,  great  attention  is  still  given.  Even  the  babes 
in  your  infant  schools  are  indoctrinated  into  the  be- 
lief of  the  trinity  and  other  kindred  absurdities.  But 
all  this  does  not  secure  the  desired  object.  The  spirit 
of  free  inquiry  is  abroad  in  the  land  ;  and  most  of 
those  who  dare  to  submit  to  its  influence,  are  carried 
away  from  the  creeds  and  confessions  and  inventions  of 
the  dark  ages.  The  second  method  is  conviction  from 
investigation.  But  can  you  point  to  an  individual  in 
our  community,  of  unprejudiced  mind,  of  good  under- 
standing, of  upright  and  honest  motives,  who  has  been 
led  to  embrace  orthodoxy  by  a  candid  examination 
of  the  scriptures?  No;  such  an  occurrence  would  be 
considered  almost  miraculous.  The  last  resort  then 
must  be  made  to  revivals.  Yes ;  your  leaders  have 
repeatedly  declared,  that  your  only  hope  was  in  revi- 
vals; that  the  only  hope  of  the  church  was  in  revivals; 
that  the  only  hope  of  the  ministry  was  in  revivals. 
This  declaration  discloses  the  secret.  Revivals  are 
the  only  hope  of  the  orthodox.  How  so  ?  Because  you 
can  induce  people  to  receive  orthodox  doctrines  with- 
out evidence,  when  your  excitement  has  benumbed 
their  reason  and  common  sense.  When  you  can  make 
them  profess  their  hearty  belief  in  all  the  articles  of 
your  long  creed,  and  solemnly  promise  to  make  this 
human  formulary  their  standard  of  religious  truth. 
When  their  mental  strength  is  thus  prostrated,  you  can 
bind  them  to  perpetual  servitude,  and  rivet  on  the  chains 
of  your  party,  and  brand  their  very  souls  with  the 
stamp  of  Calvinism.  And  in  no  other  wTay  can  your 
cause  be  maintained.  Hence  the  uncommon  effort 
of  the  present  moment  to  create  an  extensive  excite- 
ment. Hence  the  request  of  Dr  Wisner  to  his  people, 
to  have  them  bring  all  their  friends  and  acquaintances 
who  knew  not  Christ ;    or   in  other    words,  all    they 


53 

could  obtain  from  unitarian  societies.  Hence  the 
cruel  and  barbarous  treatment  of  the  unitarian  lady 
from  the  country,  whose  case  has  been  recently  pub- 
lished ;  and  a  thousand  other  circumstances  of  a  simi- 
lar nature.  Were  not  the  object  of  this  new  and 
great  and  general  movement  well  understood  by 
our  community,  I  would  prove  more  fully  that  it  is  de- 
signed to  save  the  sinking  cause  of  orthodoxy.  Now 
can  you  believe,  that  when  your  religious  opinions 
cannot  be  preserved  and  perpetuated  by  the  means  and 
measures  of  God's  ordination,  he  will  appear  in  a  spe- 
cial, supernatural,  miraculous  manner  to  uphold  ortho- 
doxy? If  you  cannot,  then  you  will  admit  that  these 
revivals  are  not  the  work  of  his  holy  spirit,  but  the  com- 
bined exertions  of  your  leaders. 

11.  In  the  eleventh  place,  the  Bible  furnishes  us 
with  no  account  of  such  revivals.  No  such  measures 
as  you  now  adopt,  were  ever  adopted  in  the  times  of 
prophets  or  apostles,  for  the  conversion  of  sinners  or 
unbelievers.  No  such  results  as  now  follow  the  opera- 
tion of  your  human  contrivances,  ever  attended  their 
means  of  spiritual  renovation  and  improvement.  Noth- 
ing of  the  kind  can  be  found  from  the  first  word  in 
Genesis  to  the  last  sentence  in  Revelation.  But  the 
scriptures  furnish  us  with  accounts  of  several  real  revi- 
vals of  religion.  I  will  examine  three  of  the  most  im- 
portant, in  order  to  establish  my  positions.  In  the  book 
of  Nehemiah  you  find  a  very  full  and  interesting  state- 
ment on  this  question.  The  people  were  greatly 
in  need  of  religious  instruction  and  improvement.  The 
Lord  selected  Ezra  as  the  revival  preacher  of  the  peri- 
od. Let  us  now  hear  what  method  he  adopted  to  in^ 
crease  true  religion.  These  are  the  precious  words  of 
the  sacred  writer. 

'  And  Ezra  the  priest  brought  the  law  before  the  con- 
gregation both  of  men  and  women,   and  all  that  could 
hear  with  understanding,  upon  the  first  day  of  the  sev- 
enth month.     And  he  read  therein  before,  the   street 
5* 


54 

that  was  before  the  water  gate  from  the  morning  until 
midday,  before  the  men  and  the  women,  and  those  that 
could  understand  ;  and  the  ears  of  all  the  people  were 
attentive  unto  the  book  of  the  law.  And  Ezra  the 
scribe  stood  upon  a  pulpit  of  wood,  which  they  had 
made  for  the  purpose.  And  Ezra  opened  the  book  in 
the  sight  of  all  the  people  ;  and  when  he  opened  it  all 
the  people  stood  up;  and  Ezra  blessed  the  Lord,  the 
great  God.  And  all  the  people  answered,  Amen, 
Amen,  with  lifting  up  their  hands,  and  worshipped  the 
Lord  with  their  faces  to  the  ground.  And  the  Levites 
caused  the  people  to  understand  the  law  ;  and  the  peo- 
ple stood  in  their  place.  So  they  read  in  the  book  in 
the  law  of  God  distinctly,  and  gave  the  sense,  and 
caused  them  to  understand  the  reading.  And  Ezra 
the  priest  the  scribe,  and  the  Levites  that  taught  the 
people,  said  unto  all  the  people — This  day  is  holy  un- 
to the  Lord  your  God  ;  mourn  not,  nor  weep ;  for  all 
the  people  wept  when  they  heard  the  words  of  the  law. 
Then  he  said  unto  them,  Go  your  way,  eat  the  fat, 
and  drink  the  sweet,  and  send  portions  unto  them  for 
whom  nothing  is  prepared ;  for  this  day  is  holy  unto 
our  Lord  ;  neither  be  ye  sorry  ;  for  the  joy  of  the  Lord 
is  your  strength.  So  the  Levites  stilled  all  the  people, 
saying,  hold  your  peace,  for  the  day  is  holy ;  neither 
be  ye  grieved.  And  all  the  people  went  their  way  to 
eat,  and  to  drink,  and  to  send  portions,  and  to  make 
great  mirth,  because  they  had  understood  the  words 
that  were  declared  unto  them.' 

Here  then  we  have  a  very  clear  account  of  a  most 
important  and  truly  scriptural  revival  of  religion.  It 
bears  no  resemblance  whatever  to  your  modern  excite- 
ments, but  differs  from  them  most  essentially  in  several 
striking  particulars.  And  first,  you  notice  that  the  law 
of  God,  all  the  Bible  they  then  possessed,  was  made 
the  only  standard  of  religious  instruction.  It  is  well 
known  that  in  your  modern  revivals,  the  Bible  is  almost 
altogether  neglected,  or  perverted  to  sectarian  purpo- 
ses.   In  proof  of  this   assertion  I    give    you    the  fol- 


55 

lowing  sentences  from  a  worthy  orthodox  church-mem- 
ber who  took  an  active  part  in  the  early  stages  of  the 
famous  New  York  excitement.  '  But  fortunately  for  the 
suffering  Bible,  but  very  few  quotations  were  made 
from  it ;  I  think  not  as  many  in  three  months,  as  I  have 
heard  in  a  single  sermon  !  The  Bible  must  bend  to 
accommodate  the  subject,  rather  than  the  subject  to 
comply  with  the  Bible.  Passages  not  congenial  to  the 
spirit  of  the  times,  or  passages  which  seemed  to  carry 
on  their  face  a  palpable  contradiction  of  any  favorite 
topic,  must  be  introduced,  lest  the  people  should  be  led 
from  them,  to  distrust  the  positions  which  they  seemed 
to  contradict.  And  here  the  powers  of  ingenuity  were 
put  to  the  rack,  to  bring  these  passages  to  comply  with 
the  design  of  the  preacher.'  Read  the  whole  of  Brock- 
way's  delineation  of  the  characteristic  features  of  a  re- 
vival of  religion  in  Troy.  And  secondly,  you  notice 
that  the  congregation  was  composed  of  men,  women,  and 
children ;  whereas  but  few  males  are  to  be  seen  in 
your  various  meetings  for  the  outpouring  of  the  spirit. 
And  third,  you  notice  that  the  priest  read  the  law  dis- 
tinctly, and  then  gave  the  true  meaning  to  the  people  ; 
whereas  your  mode  of  communicating  instruction  is  by 
exhortation,  denunciation  and  declamation.  And  fourth, 
you  notice  the  preachers  told  their  hearers  not  to  weep, 
or  grieve,  or  be  sorry ;  whereas  your  principal  object 
seems  to  be  to  excite  tears,  and  grief,  and  sorrow,  and 
expression,  and  lamentation,  and  wailing.  And,  fifth, 
you  notice  that  the  ministers  directed  their  people  to 
go  home,  and  eat,  drink  and  be  merry ;  whereas  your 
advice  seems  to  be  for  them  to  remain  at  meeting  as 
many  hours  as  possible,  to  fast  as  long  as  nature  will 
permit,  and  to  banish  all  mirth,  and  rejoicing,  and  glad- 
ness. And,  sixth,  you  notice  the  leaders  order- 
ed their  society  to  send  portions  to  the  destitute  ; 
whereas  your  direction  seems  to  be  for  them  to  send 
sectarian  tracts,  a  most  unwelcome  portion,  calculated 
to    excite   disgust  rather  than   gratitude.     I  hope  yon 


56 

and  all  your  friends  will  carefully  examine  the   means 
and  nature  of  this  Jewish  revival. 

Look  next  at  a  true  revival  of  religion  produced  by 
the  preaching  of  our  Saviour.  '  And  seeing  the  mul- 
titudes, he  went  up  into  a  mountain ;  and  when  he  was 
set,  his  disciples  came  unto  him.'  And  he  opened  his 
mouth,  and  taught  them,  saying. — Saying  what  ? — 
'  That  in  the  Godhead  are  three  persons,  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  that  these  three 
are  one  God,  the  same  in  substance,  equal  in  power 
and  glory?  No.  Saying  what? — 'That  the  only 
Redeemer  of  the  elect  is  the  eternal  son  of  God,  who 
for  this  purpose  became  man,  and  continues  to  be  God 
and  man  in  two  distinct  natures  and  one  person  for- 
ever ? '  No.  Saying  what  ? — '  That  the  burden  of 
damnation,  from  which  we  were  delivered,  was  laid 
upon  Christ ;  that  it  was  requisite  he  should  feel  the 
severity  of  the  divine  vengeance,  in  order  to  appease 
the  wrath  of  God;  that  the  design  and  end  of  this  oblation 
was  to  atone,  pacify,  and  reconcile  God,  by  giving 
him  a  full  and  adequate  compensation  or  satisfaction 
for  the  sins  of  his  elect  ? '  No.  Saying  what  ? — '  That 
by  the  decree  of  God,  for  the  manifestation  of  his 
glory,  some  men  and  angels  are  predestinated  unto 
everlasting  life,  and  others  foreordained  unto  ev- 
erlasting death  ;  that  these  angels  and  men,  thus 
predestinated  and  foreordained,  are  particularly  and 
unchangeably  designed ;  and  their  number  is  so 
certain  and  definite,  that  it  cannot  be  either  in- 
creased or  diminished  ? '  No.  Saying  what  ? — '  That 
from  the  original  corruption  of  man,  whereby  we  are 
utterly  indisposed,  disabled,  and  made  opposite  to  all 
good,  and  wholly  inclined  to  all  evil,  do  proceed  all 
actual  transgressions.'  No.  Saying  what  ? — '  That 
the  wicked  in  hell  will  not  be  able  in  that  conflict  to 
overcome  their  enemy,  and  to  deliver  themselves ; 
that  God  will  then  undertake  to  deal  with  them,  will 
gird  himself  with  might  to  execute  wrath,  will  be  their 
enemy,  and  will   act  the  part  of  an  enemy  with  a  wit- 


57 

ness ;  that  after  they  have  endured  these  torments 
millions  of  ages,  their  bodies,  which  will  have  been 
burning  and  roasting  all  this  while  in  these  glowing 
flames,  yet  shall  not  have  been  consumed,  but  will  re- 
main to  roast  through  an  eternity  yet  ? '  No.  He 
said  nothing  of  this  nature  ;  not  one  word  about  the 
fundamentals  of  orthodoxy  in  his  long  revival  sermon. 
Read  the  whole  discourse.  Does  it  bear  the  faintest 
resemblance  to  your  modern  revival  sermons  ?  Look 
at  his  prayers.  Are  they  made  the  model  of  your  re- 
vival devotions?  Look  at  his  whole  course  of  conduct 
and  preaching.  Does  not  his  entire  example  condemn 
all  your  fanatical  proceedings,  in  a  voice  louder  than 
the  trump  of  the  archangel  ? 

Finally,  look  at  the  revival  on  the  day  of  Pentecost. 
The  holy  spirit  was  shed  abroad  in  a  miraculous  man- 
ner on  the  apostles,  but  not  on  the  three  thousand  con- 
verts. No.  They  were  convinced  by  satisfactory 
evidence,  that  Jesus,  whom  they  had  crucified,  was 
the  promised  Messiah.  They  felt  their  guilt  of  this 
sin,  were  stung  by  the  reproaches  of  an  accusing  con- 
science, and  cried  out,  '  men  and  brethren,  what  shall 
we  do.'  The  apostles  did  not  tell  them  that  their 
question  could  not  be  publicly  answered  ;  that  all  who 
were  anxious  must  remain  for  a  private  interview ;  and 
then  teach  them  the  unintelligible  dogmas  of  Cal- 
vinism. No.  They  preached  Christ  in  a  plain  and 
intelligible  manner.  They  preached  repentance,  or 
reformation,  for  the  remission  of  their  sins.  They 
preached  baptism  as  a  sign  of  entrance  to  the  christian 
school.  They  promised  them  the  gift  of  the  holy 
spirit,  which  was  peculiar  to  their  condition  and  cir- 
cumstances. On  that  day  three  thousand  were  added 
to  the  church.  There  were  no  delays  for  prayer 
meetings,  or  conference  meetings,  or  anxious  meetings, 
or  inquiry  meetings,  or  whispering  meetings,  or  four- 
day  meetings.  There  were  no  delays  for  indoctrina- 
ting them  into  a  system  of  human  inventions,  or  for  the 


58 

relation  of  wonderful  experiences,  or  for  subscribing  to 
human  creeds.  No.  They  believed  one  point,  the 
Messiahship  of  Jesus ;  and  to  him  were  they  directed 
as  their  only  master  in  matters  of  religion.  Examine 
the  whole  account  for  yourself,  and  see  if  you  can  find 
the  faintest  resemblance  to  one  single  feature  in  your 
modern  excitements.  Sir,  the  example  and  instruc- 
tions of  our  Saviour  and  his  apostles  furnish  the  most 
satisfactory  and  unanswerable  argument  for  the  human 
origin  of  your  revivals.  Let  any  man  in  his  sober  sen- 
ses examine  the  record  of  their  doings  and  sayings,  and 
he  must  be  convinced  of  this  truth  ;  for  he  cannot  find 
one  circumstance  in  their  whole  history  to  justify  the 
praying,  preaching,  visiting,  conversing  and  acting  of 
orthodox  leaders.  And  can  it  be,  that  your  revivals, 
which  are  condemned  by  every  page  of  the  Bible,  are 
the  special  work  of  the  holy  spirit  ? 

12.  Finally,  such  are  some  of  my  reasons  for  believ- 
ing that  orthodox  revivals  are  the  effects  of  human 
agency,  and  not  the  special  work  of  the  holy  spirit. 
These  arguments  appear  to  my  mind  altogether  unan- 
swerable. I  have  endeavored  to  notice  all  the  evidence 
by  which  your  positions  are  supported.  If  anything 
important  has  been  omitted,  it  has  been  altogether  un- 
intentional on  my  part.  The  three  main  sources  of 
proof  for  your  belief  on  this  question,  I  have  however 
noticed  but  incidentally.  I  will  now  give  them  a  more 
full  consideration.  To  prove  that  your  revivals  are 
the  special  work  of  the  holy  spirit,  you  first  appeal  to 
the  feelings  of  your  converts.  This  is  dangerous  tes- 
timony; for  it  proves  too  much,  and  consequently  is 
worse  than  nothing.  The  Mahometan  feds  that  his 
religion  is  from  heaven.  The  Swedenborgian/ee/s  that 
his  Master  was  divinely  commissioned.  The  Shaker 
feels  that  his  animal  excitement  is  the  operation  of  the 
Almighty.  The  deluded  fanatic  feels  that  his  crazy 
dreams  are  the  suggestions  of  divine  wisdom,  or 
that  his  contortions  and  writhings  are  the  special  work 


59 

cf  the  holy  spirit.  And  so,  I  might  say,  of  many  other 
religionists  ;  and  if  feeling  is  satisfactory  evidence  in  one 
case,  it  must  be  in  all.  And  above  all,  I  might  appeal 
to  the  multitude  of  Unitarians,  who  have  been  convert- 
ed in  your  revivals,  and  whose  feelings  now  teach  them 
that,  your  excitements  are  not  the  special  work  of  the 
holy  spirit ;  and  whose  Bibles  instruct  them  that  this 
kind  of  evidence  furnishes  no  satisfactory  proof  of  the 
truth  of  your  position. 

But  in  the  second  place,  you  appeal  to  remarkable 
instances  of  conversion.  You  aver  that  scoffing  and  ir- 
religious persons,  calling  themselves  Deists,  or  Universal- 
ists,  or  Unitarians,  or  Episcopalians,  have  occasionally 
been  brought  into  the  christian  fold  by  your  revivals. 
Admit  the  fact,  and  what  does  it  prove  ?  Nothing  to 
your  purpose.  For  according  to  your  own  account, 
these  individuals  were  destitute  of  piety.  If  so,  their 
conscience  was  against  their  practice,  and  in  favor  of 
religion.  Notwithstanding  their  sneers,  they  were  un- 
easy in  their  own  souls.  They  were  the  very  persons 
of  all  others  to  be  frightened  into  a  surrender,  when  ex- 
posed to  the  peculiar  artillery  of  your  warfare.  Noth- 
ing but  the  thunders  of  Sinai,  and  the  brimstone  of  the 
burning  lake,  could  arouse  the  sensibilities  of  their  de- 
praved hearts.  I  could  wish,  that  more  of  this  class 
were  exposed  to  the  various  influences  which  you  bring 
into  operation  on  such  occasions.  And  those  very  ex- 
amples I  should  quote  in  proof  of  my  belief  in  the  hu- 
man origin  of  your  revivals.  For  your  causes,  your 
machinery,  are  perfectly  adequate  to  the  effects  produc- 
ed, to  the  work  accomplished.  And  when  you  remem- 
ber that  most  of  this  description,  who  give  such  good 
evidence  of  conversion  in  the  season  of  excitement,  af- 
terwards fall  away  and  become  ten  fold  more  the  chil- 
dren of  hell,  you  will  perceive  that  my  argument  from 
this  source  is  doubly  fortified. 

But  after  all,  you  appeal  to  the  lives  of  your  best 
converts,  in  proof  of  the  special  operation  of  the  holy 


60 

spirit.  Now  if  you  could  prove  from  reason  and  scrip- 
ture that  the  heart  of  man  is  totally  depraved,  and  that 
the  supernatural  influence  of  the  Deity  is  absolute- 
ly essential  to  its  conversion  to  holiness,  and  that  your 
disciples  are  truly  regenerated,  your  argument  would 
have  some  weight.  But  the  two  first  propositions  nev- 
er have  been  established,  and  I  am  fully  persuaded,  they 
never  will  be,  while  God  remains  unchangeable.  Not 
only  so.  Look  into  your  own  denomination.  Read 
the  lives  of  your  most  pious  members.  You  will  find 
that  much  the  largest  proportion  of  those  who  have  done 
most  honor  to  the  religion  of  Jesus,  never  passed 
through  any  such  excitement,,  never  knew  the  time  or 
manner  of  their  conversion,  never  knew  the  period 
when  they  did  not  love  their  Father  in  heaven,  and  en- 
deavor to  keep  his  commandments.  Look  into  the  uni- 
tarian church.  You  may  find  no  small  number  of  in- 
dividuals who  exhibit  as  much  scriptural  evidence,  to 
sav  the  least,  of  being  the  true  disciples  of  Jesus,  as 
any  in  the  orthodox  ranks.  They  have  no  belief  in 
the  necessity  of  a  miraculous  influence  of  the  holy  spirit 
on  the  human  soul  in  order  to  its  regeneration.  They 
make  no  pretences  to  any  experiences  of  this  nature. 
And  to  what  source  will  you  attribute  their  goodness  ? 
They  indeed  receive  the  scriptural  doctrines  of  conver- 
sion and  divine  influences.  They  believe  that  the  spir- 
it helpeth  our  infirmities.  They  cherish  this  belief 
with  gratitude.  And  if  the  common  influences  of  the 
holv  spirit  are  sufficient  for  so  many,  why  not  for  all  ? 
But  one  argument  more,  and  I  have  done  with  this  divi- 
sion. The  reasons  frequently  assigned  by  some  of  your 
leaders  for  promoting  revivals  are  demonstrative  proof  of 
their  human  origin.  And  what  are  some  of  the  most 
remarkable  r  Why,  the  sale  of  pews  in  a  new  ortho- 
dox church  ;  the  means  for  supporting  an  orthodox  min- 
ister ;  the  destruction  of  the  unitarian  heresy,  and  oth- 
ers of  an  equally  party  nature.  I,  therefore,  call  upon 
you,  and  all  your  adherents,  to  examine  my  arguments 


61 

on  this  question ;  to  consider  my  facts  on  this  subject ; 
and  either  to  answer  my  defence  with  more  powerful 
evidence,  or  submit  to  my  conclusion. 

V.  You  assert  that  those  who  oppose  orthodox  revi- 
vals are  enemies  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  I  think  a 
plain  statement  of  facts  will  prove  your  assertion  un- 
true ;  and  also  convince  you,  that  the  opposers  to  your 
excitements  are  wholly  devoted  to  the  promotion  of 
pure  and  undefiled  religion. 

1.  In  the  first  place,  who  have  been  the  opposers  of 
orthodox  revivals  ?  The  most  distinguished  of  the  or- 
thodox themselves.  Yes ;  read  the  history  of  our  pi- 
ous fathers.  They  knew  nothing  of  such  excitements  un- 
til the  days  of  Whitefield.  They  resolutely  opposed  his 
new  and  unscriptural  measures.  Their  opposition  con- 
tinued until  within  a  few  years,  except  by  a  minority. 
And  at  the  present  moment,  no  small  number  of  your 
more  judicious  professors  are  unwilling  to  adopt  your 
singular  modes  of  operation,  and  do  not  hesitate  to  ex- 
press their  decided  disapprobation  of  your  proceedings. 
I  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  present  you  with  an  ex- 
tract from  a  discourse,  delivered  at  the  ordination  of 
Mr  Albro,  by  the  Rev  Mr  Withington.  A  more  deci- 
ded attack  upon  your  whole  system  of  revivals  was 
never  uttered.  Not  only  so.  Look  to  the  Episcopal  de- 
nomination. You  will  allow  their  creed  to  be  sufficient- 
ly evangelical.  But  you  know  they  have  opposed 
your  revivals  with  an  almost  unanimous  voice.  Above 
all,  look  to  Scotland.  From  the  days  of  Knox 
to  the  present  reign  of  Chalmers,  you  find  no  revival- 
ists in  that  most  learned  and  pious  orthodox  denomi- 
nation. I  could  refer  you  to  multitudes  more  who  ad- 
here to  the  articles  of  your  creed,  but  who  are  open  op- 
posers to  your  excitements.  And  will  you  rank  all 
these  orthodox  christians  of  past  and  present  genera- 
tions among  the  enemies  of  Christ  ?  Will  you  not  ad- 
mit that  many  of  this  number  have  done  more  for  the 
cause  of  what  you  consider  pure  religion,  than  any  of 
6 


62 

your  revival  leaders  ?  Is  not  your  assertion  altogether 
untrue  and  slanderous.  But  you  meant  to  condemn 
Unitarians.     Very  well. 

2.  In  the  second  place,  why  do  Unitarians  oppose 
your  revivals?  I  answer  for  myself.  I  have  been  in 
the  midst  of  your  excitements.  I  have  experienced 
something  of  their  power  and  influence.  I  have  had  a 
fair  view  of  their  operation  on  human  beings.  I  have 
witnessed  their  pernicious  effects  on  many  individuals. 
I  believe  they  are  produced  by  unscriptural  measures. 
I  believe  they  yield  unchristian  fruit.  I  believe  they 
are  the  special  work  of  men  and  women.  I  know  that 
many  of  the  best  and  ablest  orthodox  divines  have  en- 
tertained this  same  belief  on  these  several  questions. 
I  must  therefore  act  in  consistency  with  my  convictions. 
I  conscientiously  oppose  their  existence  and  prevalence. 
I  do  this  from  the  best  of  motives;  from  a  regard  to  the 
plain  instructions  of  my  Saviour.  I  wish  to  banish  all 
such  unhallowed  commotions  from  the  land.  I  believe 
this  can  be  done  in  oneway,  and  in  but  one  way.  Con- 
vince people  that  their  experiences  in  seasons  of  ex- 
citement are  not  the  special  work  of  the  holy  spirit,  and 
the  desired  work  is  accomplished.  Convince  them  that 
God  does  not  exert  a  supernatural  influence  in  the  con- 
version of  sinners,  and  the  reign  of  fanaticism  will  have 
received  a  death  blow.  Convince  them  that  all  their 
thoughts  and  feelings  in  times  of  a  revival  are  the  na- 
tural effect  of  the  means  used  and  measures  adopted, 
and  your  papers  will  forever  be  filled  with  lamentations 
for  the  withdrawal  of  divine,  miraculous  influences.  To 
effect  this  object,  has  been  the  design  of  my  present 
undertaking.  I  have  presented  evidence  enough  to  sat- 
isfy any  rational  and  candid  mind.  But  1  do  not  expect 
complete  success  at  present.  There  is  great  ignorance 
in  the  community.  Many  dare  not  look  into  the  facts 
on  this  question.  Many  will  be  deterred  by  your  leaders 
from  reading  this  and  similar  publications.  But  the  in- 
creasing evil  of  these  excitements  will  become  more  and 


more  evident  as  the  difficulty  in  producing  them  increas- 
es. Look  into  the  Western  States,  and  see  what  this  very- 
principle  of  special  agency,  is  doing  for  the  Mormornites. 
Unless  this  error  is  banished  from  Christendom,  many 
most  alarming  transactions  will  be  made  the  occa- 
sion of  christian  lamentation.  Having  stated  my  views 
fully  and  distinctly,  I  now  say  that  I  am  not  opposing  a 
revival  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion.  No.  This  is 
the  grand  object  of  all  my  thoughts,  desires,  prayers 
and  exertions;  and  may  God  crown  them  with  desired 
success. 

3.  In  the  third  place,  how  can  a  revival  of  pure  and 
undefiled  religion  be  produced.  In  but  one  way,  The 
work  must  be  accomplished  by  christians.  A  great  and 
mighty  reformation  must  begin  at  the  house  of  God. 
First,  the  Bible  and  the  Bible  alone,  must  be  made 
the  standard,  and  the  only  standard,  of  christian  faith  and 
practice  ;  and  all  human  creeds,  confessions,  formula- 
ries of  faith  must  be  banished  from  the  world.  Second- 
ly, all  who  profess  to  be  followers  of  Christ  must  be  con- 
tented with  the  single  name  of  Christian  ;  and  all  the  appel- 
lations which  have  been  derived  from  human  invention  of 
doctrinal  opinions  must  be  forgotten.  Thirdly,  all 
Christians  must  judge  each  other  by  the  christian  rule; 
by  their  fruits,  their  conduct,  and  not  by  their  party 
names  or  sentiments  ;  and  acknowledge  all  as  brethren 
who  receive  Jesus  as  their  Master,  and  exhibit  a  virtu- 
ous character.  Fourthly,  all  Christians  must  obey  the 
commands  of  the  Saviour,  and  endeavor  to  do  towards 
each  other  in  all  things  as  they  would  have  others  do 
unto  them ;  and  in  this  way  cause  all  to  forget  their  dif- 
ferences of  opinion  and  unite  on  the  common  ground  of 
salvation.  Until  these  things  have  taken  place.  Chris- 
tendom will  experience  no  very  valuable  or  extensive 
revival  of  pure  religion ;  and  when  these  things  are  ac- 
complished, the  irreligious  and  unbelieving  world  will  be 
drawn  into  the  fold,  by  the  example  and  writings  of 
such  consistent  followers  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Je- 
sus. 


G4 

4.  I  have  thus  given  you  my  honest  reasons  for 
believing  your  five  assertions  untrue.  If  you  wish 
for  certificates  to  establish  any  of  my  positions,  they 
shall  be  readily  furnished.  I  hope  you  will  seriously 
consider  my  statements  and  arguments,  and  either  ac- 
knowledge the  conclusion  to  which  they  lead,  or  return 
a  satisfactory  answer.  I  have  endeavored  to  speak 
with  great  plainness  of  language  ;  for  the  subject  and 
occasion  demand  frankness  and  honesty.  I  suppose 
you  will  call  some  of  my  remarks  severe  ;  but  are  they 
more  severe  than  truth  and  justice  exact?  Is  not  the 
following  extract  from  the  pious  Richard  Baxter  some- 
what applicable  to  certain  professors  ?  ■  It  is  one  of  the 
most  dangerous  diseases  of  professors,  and  greatest 
scandals  of  this  age,  that  persons  taken  for  eminently 
religious,  are  more  impatient  of  plain,  though  just  re- 
proof, than  many  a  drunkard,  swearer,  or  fornicator. 
And  when  they  have  spent  hours  or  days  in  the  seem- 
ing earnest  confession  of  their  sin,  and  lament  before 
God  and  man  that  they  cannot  do  it  with  more  grief 
and  tears ;  yet  they  take  it  for  a  heinous  injury  in 
another  that  will  say  half  so  much  against  them,  and 
take  him  for  a  malignant  enemy  of  the  Godly  who 
will  call  them  as  they  call  themselves.  They  wish 
that  the  chief  business  of  a  preacher  should  be  to  praise 
them,  and  set  them  above  the  rest,  as  the  only  people 
of  God  ;  and  they  take  him  for  an  enemy  that  will  tell 
them  the  truth.  But  the  scandal  is  greatest  in  those 
preachers  themselves,  who  cannot  endure  to  hear  that 
they  are  sinners.  So  tender  and  impatient  of  reproof 
are  some,  yea,  some  thatfor  their  learning,  and  preach- 
ing, and  piety,  are  ranked  in  the  highest  form,  or  ex- 
pect to  be  so,  that  almost  nothing  but  flattery  or  praise 
can  please  them ;  and  they  can  hardly  bear  the  gen- 
tlest reproof,  no,  nor  a  contradiction  of  any  of  their 
opinions. 

Yours  respectfully. 

Bernard  Whitman. 
Walt  ham,  May,  1831. 


